Archived: Seaswift Care Limited

Our inspection set out to answer five questions: is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well-led?

Below is a summary of what we found. It is based on our observations during the inspection, discussions with people living at the home, and with the staff supporting them, and on looking at records.

Is the service safe?

People told us they felt safe. We saw that staff treated people with respect. Safeguarding procedures were in place, and staff knew how to recognise abuse.

People's money was kept in a locked safe. They were able to lock their bedrooms if they wished. People were protected against receiving visits from people they did not wish to see.

The home's environment was safe and clean. Suitable fire precautions were in place.

Recruitment practice was safe and thorough. This meant that people were protected from receiving care from inexperienced or unsuitable staff.

Is the service effective?

The service provided care in line with people's individual needs. This was recorded in care plans. Specialist dietary, mobility and equipment needs were identified in care plans.

People's needs were taken into account in the home's environment. The service was effective in keeping people as independent as possible by making sure that they could move around the home without risk.

Is the service caring?

People were supported by caring staff. We saw staff speaking to people in a kind and considerate way.

There was a very caring and homely atmosphere. A relative told us, 'It's superb. I couldn't speak highly enough'. Another person told us, 'I'm very happy here. I didn't think of looking anywhere else'.

People's wishes were recorded in care plans, and support was provided in accordance with them.

Is the service responsive?

We saw that staff listened to people, and gave them time to make their wishes known.

The service responded to people's changing needs. When people were unwell or they needed specialist assessment, the provider asked community professionals to undertake assessments. A visiting community nurse told us that staff at the home were very good at referring people who needed wound care or specialised equipment.

Is the service well-led?

At the time of our inspection the home had just appointed a new manager. They were in the process of applying to the Care Quality Commission be the registered manager. Once registered, they will to manage the service and share with the provider the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law. We asked people if staff changes had affected the quality of their care. They said the changes had been handled smoothly and the quality of the care had remained the same.

The service had a system of quality assurance that monitored care and showed where it could be improved. Some key areas of care, such as medicines administration, were not being monitored regularly. We discussed this with the manager and were satisfied that improvements would be made.

Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. They knew what to do if they had concerns.