The Summers

Updated 12 February 2025

Date of assessment: 26 February to 07 March 2025. This responsive assessment was carried out in response to concerns raised with regards to poor care, medicines administration and low level of activities, as well as the length of time since the service was last inspected. The Summers is a nursing and residential care home providing support to older people and people living with dementia, some of whom had nursing needs as well as physical disabilities or mental health needs. There were 28 people living at the home at the time of our inspection. At our last comprehensive inspection of the service (published 30 January 2019), the overall rating was good, with the key question ‘safe’ rated ‘requires improvement’. During this assessment, we found improvements were made in this key question and we rated it ‘good’. We found there were enough staff to support people and meet their needs. Medicines were managed safely and people received them as prescribed. People were supported by kind, caring, competent and compassionate staff. Whilst people’s needs and choices were assessed, some assessments did not have supporting documentation such as best interest decision record. Since this assessment, we received assurances that all documentation is now in place. Care provided was personalised and considered people’s preferences and wishes. People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. People’s dietary needs were met in accordance with their needs and preferences. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. The provider had effective systems in place for monitoring the quality and safety of the service provided to people. The Summers is used by autistic people or people with a learning disability. We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

Updated 12 February 2025

We received positive feedback from people and their family members during the assessment. We observed interactions between staff and people, which demonstrated staff understood people’s care and social needs. We also observed staff encouraging people to be as independent as possible in a variety of tasks. They adapted their approach and support in line with people’s individual preferences. People told us they felt safe and said, “I feel safe because we are looked after. I’ve got a call bell and I use it in the morning and in the evening. They do get to me quite quickly most of the time. If they’re busy elsewhere you might have to wait. They do check up on me at night.” We were told there were sufficient staff and people got their medicines on time, “Whenever I’ve needed to speak with a carer I can usually find someone. All my medicines are done on time. They’re there for me if I’m not feeling well.” People and their relatives told us staff were competent, understood their needs and treated them as individuals. They said, “The carers are lovely to us, so kind. I think they know us really well and treat us with respect, all of my personal care is done with great dignity,” and “Staff understand [relative’s] needs and when first admitted, staff went through everything so they understood everything about [relative].” Where concerns were raised, people felt listened to, and were confident actions would be taken and improvements made. People spoke positively of the staff, managers and their experience of living at the home. They told us they were supported to make choices and were involved in decision making about their care and support and were asked for feedback regularly.