The Old Vicarage

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

Well-led – this means we looked for evidence that service leadership, management and governance assured high-quality, person-centred care; supported learning and innovation; and promoted an open, fair culture.

At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good.

This meant the service was consistently managed and well-led. Leaders and the culture they created promoted high-quality, person-centred care.

This service scored 71 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider had a shared vision, strategy and culture. This was based on transparency, equity, equality and human rights, diversity and inclusion, engagement, and understanding challenges and the needs of people and their communities.

The registered manager told us they aimed to provide personalised care to everyone. They said everything they did was about individuals to ensure they could always do what they wanted to do. People’s feedback showed this ethos was put into practice.

People lived in a home where leaders had the skills, knowledge and experience to lead effectively. Leaders were visible and led by example to share good practice and inclusive behaviours.

The registered manager demonstrated an excellent knowledge of people who lived at the home and staff. The nominated individual for the company was also very visible and had a commitment to making improvements. One member of staff told us, “The managers work with us. It’s like a big family and everyone works together.”

There was a clear staffing structure which ensured people always had access to experienced senior staff.

The provider fostered a positive culture where people felt they could speak up and their voice would be heard.

Staff, people who lived at the home and visitors all said they would be comfortable to raise any issues or concerns.

The provider valued diversity in their workforce. They worked towards an inclusive and fair culture by improving equality and equity for people who worked for them.

Staff felt fairly treated. There was a stable staff team, many of whom had worked together for a number of years. Newer staff we spoke with said they had been welcomed into the team and felt supported by colleagues and the management. One member of staff said, “It a good team. I felt totally welcomed. You can ask anyone anything.”

People lived in a home where improvements were needed to ensure the provider had clear and effective systems of governance to support the delivery of good quality care to people.

The provider was very visible in the home which enabled them to constantly monitor standards. They and the registered manager also carried out audits to gauge the quality of care provided. However, audits undertaken had not always been effective in identifying shortfalls or driving improvements. For example, care plan audits had not identified the need for some care plans and risk assessments to be updated.

Audits we looked at did not always show what had been audited or the action taken as a result of these audits. We discussed this with the nominated individual who acknowledged the shortfalls in the audit system and gave assurances that improvements would be made.

Staff worked in partnership with people and the local community. People were supported to take part in local clubs and events such as a nearby gardening club.

Staff said they had excellent working relationships with healthcare professionals which made sure people had access to other services when they required them.

People lived in a home where the provider ensured people using the service, their families and carers were involved in developing and evaluating improvement and innovation initiatives.

People, staff and relatives were able to give feedback and make suggestions by completing satisfaction surveys and attending meetings. One person told us, “If I had ideas about things I would tell the carers.”

The provider, registered manager and staff were proud of the care they provided to people. One member of staff said, “Everyone here really cares and goes the extra mile to make sure residents have a voice.”

The provider and registered manager listened to feedback and demonstrated a commitment to ongoing improvements.