• Services in your home
  • Homecare service

Archived: The Grange

The Grange, Redworth Road, Shildon, County Durham, DL4 2JT (01388) 772115

Provided and run by:
Highlea Care Limited

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

27 February 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

At the inspection in April 2013 we found there was not enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. We saw the provider did not have an effective system to assess and monitor the quality of services provided. In addition, people were not protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment because accurate and appropriate records were not being maintained.

The provider sent us an action plan which had been completed following our inspection. This included the action they were going to take to meet the regulations and the timescales within which these would be achieved.

We returned to inspect on 27 February 2014 to review whether the provider had made improvements. We found improvements had been made in all of these areas.

Some of the people we saw and spoke with during the inspection had complex needs, which meant they found it difficult to communicate with us. We observed how they interacted with the staff that supported them and they appeared content and happy in their company.

We found there were sufficient numbers of qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs.

We found the provider had an effective system to assess and monitor the quality of service provision. This included a range of monitoring activities and seeking feedback from people who used the service.

We found people were protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment because accurate and appropriate records were maintained. This included people's support plans and risk assessments being reviewed and updated on a regular basis and records being stored securely.

6 August 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

At the last inspection in April 2013 we found people did not experience care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights. This was because some of the actions set out in people's care plans had not been carried out. In addition, the provider did not have effective recruitment and selection processes in place and staff were not supported to enable them to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

We returned to inspect on 6 August 2013 to review whether the provider had made improvements. We found improvements had been made in all of these areas.

We found care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. We found care files were well organised and it was relatively easy to gain an overview of people's needs. We also found some areas of care were more difficult to track.

We saw the provider had updated their recruitment procedure and saw staff recruited recently had been through the checks required before commencing employment. This included identity checks, police checks and the receipt of satisfactory employment and character references.

We found staff were supported in relation to their responsibilities. This included the provision of appropriate training and supervision.

19, 23 April 2013

During an inspection in response to concerns

We carried out this responsive inspection because we received some anonymous information of concern about The Grange. This related to the care and welfare of people who used the service, staff recruitment, staffing levels, support provided to staff and the keeping of records.

In response to these concerns, we carried out an unannounced inspection on 19 April 2013 and 23 April 2013.

As part of this inspection we followed up on a compliance action set at the previous inspection in November 2012. We found improvements had not been made.

People we spoke with told or indicated to us they were happy with the care and support they were receiving. One person said 'It's the best move I've made' and 'I like the quietness here.' Although people said they felt supported and looked after, other evidence did not always support this.

The provider did not have effective recruitment and selection processes in place. There were not enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. Staff were not supported to enable them to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

The provider did not have an effective system in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service people received.

People's personal records, including medical records, were not accurate and fit for purpose. We also found the providers policies and procedures required review and some records could not be located promptly when needed.

7, 8 November 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with a number of people who used the service within North, East and West View. One person said "I love it ' I like everything" and other people indicated to us they were happy to be living there. People who used the service were given appropriate information and support regarding their care or treatment.

People told us they were happy with the care and support they were receiving. One person told us "They do look after me' and another person said 'I'm happy. I'm moving soon (to another flat at the location) and I'm so excited.' Although people told us they felt well looked after, other evidence did not always support this. We saw some of the actions set out in people's care plans had not been carried out.

People who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. The provider had safeguarding policies and a procedure in place.

People said they were happy with the staff and the care they provided. One person said the staff were 'Lovely ' they do a wonderful job' and another person said "I like (staff's name) ' they took me on holiday." We found sufficient staff were provided, however there was a lack of suitably experienced staff in post at North, East and West View to support people.

We saw the provider maintained appropriate records required for the protection of people who used services.

19 April 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We did not speak with people during this inspection due to the nature of the compliance action that was set at the previous inspection. Instead we spoke with the managing director and service improvement managers from the provider. We also looked at records relating to the care provided to people using the service and observed care being provided.

2, 5 December 2011

During a routine inspection

We visited one of the supported living buildings where care was provided by The Grange domiciliary care agency. There were 10 people who used services at the supported living building which we visited. The people that we spoke with told us that they were very happy with the support they received from the service. One person told us, 'I really like it here.'

The people we spoke with told us that there were lots of activities to take part in each day and that they were able to choose what to do with their time. One person said, 'I like baking and going bowling.'

The people that we spoke with were very positive about the service. One person said, 'It's good here, they help me do the things that I want to do.'

Another person told us, 'I'm moving into a new flat with my friend who lives here, my new bedroom is going to be much bigger. I can't wait.'

The people we spoke with told us that they were very happy with the staff who worked at the home. One person said, 'The staff are really helpful, they are really nice.'