Archived: Sovereign Court

We considered our inspection findings to answer questions we always ask;

' Is the service safe?

' Is the service effective?

' Is the service caring?

' Is the service responsive?

' Is the service well-led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

There were enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the people living at the home and a member of the management team was available on call in case of emergencies.

Staff personnel records contained all the information required by the Health and Social Care Act. This meant the provider could demonstrate that the staff employed to work at the home were suitable and had the skills and experience needed to support the people living in the home.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. Appropriate policies and procedures were in place, and the process had been applied to one person currently living in the home.

Is the service effective?

People told us that they were happy with the care that had been delivered and their needs had been met. It was clear from our observations and from speaking with staff that they had a good understanding of people's care and support needs and that they knew them well. There were enough staff to give people individual attention and to take them out, if they wished. People told us they were helped to be as independent as possible. One person told us, 'They've helped me a lot.' One professional we spoke with commented on the 'massive change for the better' her client experienced, when admitted to the home. Staff had received all the training required by law to meet the needs of the people living at the home. Further training to meet people's more specialised needs was planned.

Is the service caring?

People were supported by kind and attentive staff, who showed patience and gave encouragement when supporting people. People told us they were able to do things at their own pace and were not rushed. Our observations confirmed this. People's comments included, 'The staff are nice. They care for me'; 'The staff are good, and very kind'; and, 'I'm well cared for and treated with respect.' Professionals we spoke with said it was a caring service, and that staff knew their residents very well.

Is the service responsive?

People's needs had been assessed before they moved into the home. People told us they had been asked for their views and these had been recorded. Records confirmed people's preferences, interests, aspirations and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes. One person told us, 'The staff are lovely girls, and they listen to us.'

People had good access to activities that were important to them and had been supported to maintain personal relationships with their friends and relatives.

Is the service well-led?

Staff had a good understanding of the ethos of the home and effective quality assurance processes were in place. People who used the service were asked for their views about their care and treatment in regular meetings and in questionnaires and their views were acted upon. One person told us she could say anything she liked to the staff and they would always listen to her and try to help her.

Staff spoke highly of the manager, and said she helped with people's care, and set high standards. They said the manager was a good listener and always took their views into consideration. One care worker told us, 'You couldn't get a better manager.' Staff told us they were clear about their roles and responsibilities. They said the manager's door was always open to them and they could access company policies and guidance.

We spent time in the home observing people and staff and found evidence that people were treated as individuals and with respect. We also found evidence of this by reviewing procedures such as care plans, activity plans and behaviour profiles. We viewed two private rooms and the communal areas in the home and found a safe, inviting and friendly atmosphere throughout. There were two large, bright and airy communal lounges, a dining room and a garden that was available for people to use for activities and relaxation.

We reviewed the complaints procedure with the manager and found that past complaints had been dealt with transparently.

We saw that consent was obtained from people who used the service or their representatives and that care was planned for the individual. We saw that people were safe and that the staff were suitably qualified and experienced. We saw that the home had effective systems in place to monitor its performance and manage emergency procedures.

We found that some aspects of the environment were not suitable. We saw that steps had not been taken to ensure the kitchen was well maintained or cleaned effectively and was at risk of infection. We found that people did not always receive adequate nutrition and hydration.

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The people who used the service we met during the visit were positive about the way that care was provided. Comments included; 'I like everything' and 'I'm quite happy.'