We carried out a review of the data available to us about Swallowfields Care Centre on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Swallowfields Care Centre, you can give feedback on this service.
Swallowfields Care Centre is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 9 people with a learning disability, such as autism. At the time of our inspection 9 people were living at the service.
The service was working towards the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This was to ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People told us they liked living at Swallowfields Care Centre and staff treated them with kindness. People had the support required to enable them to make their own decisions and learn skills new to them. We saw that risks had been appropriately identified and planned for with individual risk assessments in place for people. People’s medicines were managed safely.
People said they felt safe living at the service. Relatives we spoke to stated they felt their relative was safe and happy living at the service. People had input into food choices and people told us they enjoyed the food provided. People had access to a variety of activities provided both within the home or externally in the community. People’s voice was accounted for when booking activities or trips away from the home and this done though regular resident meetings.
People could access healthcare professional involvement when needed and where people had accidents and incidents staff responded to these to help reduce reoccurrence. People were supported by staff who had access to training, were competent in their role and worked well together as a team.
People had person-centred care plans which contained specific details for each person in terms of diagnosis, likes, dislikes, hobbies and medicines. People had the appropriate care planned around their individual needs,
Staff said they were happy working at Swallowfields Care Centre. Staff displayed a caring attitude towards the people they were supporting. Staff had developed close bonds with people and had provided consistent care and support. There was enough staff to safely support people and staff had been recruited safely.
The registered manager was fully aware of their responsibilities and kept staff motivated to ensure good retention of staff. They engaged with people and knew all their specific needs. There was a calm and happy atmosphere within the home produced by the shared caring ethos amongst management and staff.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was Good (report published 04 July 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
Swallowfields Care Centre is a residential care home for up to 10 people who have a learning disability and autism. People have varied communication needs and abilities. At the time of inspection there were 10 people living at the service.
During the inspection we met the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People felt safe at were safe at Swallowfields Care Centre. Risks of harm to people were identified at the initial assessment of care and staff understood what actions they needed to take to minimise risks. Staff understood people's needs and abilities.
People were supported by staff who understood the signs of abuse and their responsibilities to keep people safe. Recruitment practices were followed that helped ensure only suitable staff were employed at the service.
People were supported by regular members of staff who supported people in a timely manner. Staff were confident and had the knowledge to administer medicines safely. They knew how to support people to take their medicines safely and to keep accurate records.
Staff received the training and support they needed to meet people's needs effectively. Staff felt supported by the management team.
The registered manager understood their responsibility to comply with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff had a good understanding of MCA and DoLS. When people lacked capacity the best interest process was followed.
People were supported to eat meals of their choice and staff understood the importance of people having sufficient nutrition and hydration. Staff referred people to healthcare professionals for advice and support when their health needs changed.
People, relatives and care professionals praised staff for their caring nature. Staff were kind and respected people’s privacy, dignity and independence. Care staff were thoughtful and recognised and respected people's wishes and preferences.
People received person centred care and were supported with activities which were meaningful to them and in line with their interests and preferences.
People knew how to complain and were confident any complaints would be listened to and action taken to resolve them.
The provider audited the care and support delivered and sought feedback from people and relatives regarding the support received. All feedback from audits and questionnaires was positive.
The provider understood their responsibilities in terms of notifying CQC of significant events at the service. Staff supported people in line with the organisational values as support was centred around increasing people’s independence.