Sunnyfields

We found the following examples of good practice.

Arrangements were in place for visitors to meet people in dedicated places within the service, to minimise the risk of infection transmission. The service had consulted with relatives to agree visiting arrangements in line with government guidance.

Visitors were asked health screening questions, temperatures were taken, visitors were also advised to sanitise their hands-on arrival and wear face masks. Lateral flow tests were carried out and once a negative result was received staff facilitated the visit.

Plans were in place to isolate people with COVID-19 to minimise transmission if required. The service had good supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks and hand sanitiser, these were readily available at stations throughout the service.

Staff had received training on how to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and staff were regularly tested for COVID-19. Enhanced cleaning practices were in place and the building looked clean and free from clutter.

In July 2018, a new provider took over Sunnyfields and another small service in the area. This is the first time the service has been rated since the change in ownership in July 2018.

Sunnyfields is a small ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The service provides support for up to four people with learning disabilities. Three people lived at the service on the day of our inspection. Some people had difficulty communicating and were unable to tell us about their views and experiences of living at the service.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. The provider had developed and adapted Sunnyfields in response to changes in best practice guidance.

There was a registered manager, who was registered for both Sunnyfields and the other service. The registered manager had been working full time at the other service since the provider had taken over both services in July 2018. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The house manager was the person in charge at Sunnyfields and the house manager and the provider assisted with the inspection process.

Staff were compassionate, kind and caring and had developed good relationships with people using the service. Staff were aware of how to respect people’s privacy and dignity. People were comfortable in the presence of staff.

CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). DoLS applications had been made to ensure that people were only deprived of their liberty, when it had been assessed as lawful to do so. All interested parties were invited to best interest meetings in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Staff knew about the signs and symptoms of abuse and how to raise a concern inside and outside the organisation. People’s care was delivered safely and staff understood their responsibilities to protect people who were vulnerable.

Risks assessments were being updated regularly and were in place for the environment, and for each individual person who received care. Any accidents or incidents were monitored by the provider in order to minimise any risks identified.

The care plans included information about people's life history, likes and dislikes and who was important to them. They contained 'communication passports' and details about how people would let staff know if they were upset or in pain.

People’s health, social and physical needs were assessed and guidance was in place to ensure they were monitored and supported to access health care and advice as required. People were supported to have a variety of foods which met their health needs and cultural preferences.

There were policies and a procedure in place for the safe administration of medicines. Incidents and accidents were recorded and checked by the provider to see what steps could be taken to prevent incidents happening again. There was a procedure covering the actions to be taken in emergency situations.

People were encouraged and supported to pursue activities inside and outside of the service. Staff made people aware of what was happening in the local community.

There were policies in place that stated that people would be listened to and treated fairly if they complained about the service.

Safe recruitment practices were followed. Policies had been changed by the provider to ensure they remained relevant.

Staff were consistently deployed in sufficient numbers to meet the needs of the people currently living at Sunnyfields.

The provider had put in place updated training for all staff, so that staff were trained to meet people’s needs. Staff said they felt more supported since the providers had taken over the service and that formal supervision was now taking place on a more regular basis.

Staff followed the provider’s guidance to help minimise the spread of any infection.

The provider was monitoring the quality of the service and made changes to improve the service taking account of people’s needs and views.

Staff said there had been an improvement in staff morale since the providers has taken over the service in July 2018, and staff told us they could see improvements taking place.