Vicarage Residential Home

Updated 27 May 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Vicarage Residential Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Vicarage Residential Home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 13 people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, care manager, care workers and auxiliary workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and four medicines records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 27 May 2022

About the service

Vicarage Residential Home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 35 people. The service supports people who may need support with their physical and mental health and may be living with a dementia. Vicarage Residential Home is an adapted building. At the time of the inspection there were 29 people living at the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they were happy with the care they received, and people said they felt safe living there. Comments from people included; “Oh yes, I feel safe here.” Another person said; “I’m spoilt and have lovely staff who look after me well.” While a relative commented in a survey returned; “The care is fantastic.” While a professional commented on a survey about the service; “Well impressed.” People looked relaxed, happy and comfortable with staff supporting them. Staff were caring and spent time chatting with people as they moved around the service.

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 were supported by staff who completed an induction, training and were supervised. Staff were recruited safely in sufficient numbers to ensure people’s needs were met. There was time for people to have social interaction and there was a designated activities staff member to assist people. Staff knew how to keep people safe from harm.

Staff received appropriate training and support to enable them to carry out their role safely, including fire safety and mental health training. However, we have recommended that the training matrix reflects the updated staff training completed.

The environment was safe and there was equipment available to support staff in providing safe care and support. Health and safety checks of the environment and equipment were in place.

There were processes in place to prevent and control infection at the service including additional cleaning and safe visiting precautions.

People were supported to access healthcare services, staff recognised changes in people's health, and sought professional advice appropriately.

Records of people's care were individualised and reflected each person’s needs and preferences. Risks were identified, and staff had guidance to help them support people to reduce the risk of avoidable harm. People’s communication needs were identified, and where they wanted, people had end of life wishes explored and recorded.

People were involved in menu planning and staff encouraged them to eat a well-balanced diet and make healthy eating choices. Special diets were catered for. One person said; “Always something I can have if I don’t like something offered.”

People were supported by a service that was well managed. Records were accessible and up to date. The management and staff knew people well and worked together to help ensure people received a good service.

Staff told us the registered manager and management team was available and assisted them daily. They went onto say how they were approachable and listened when any concerns or ideas were raised. One staff member said; “Never been in a place like it! Love it!”

People and their families were provided with information about how to make a complaint and details of the complaint’s procedure were displayed at the service.

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, published on 3 May 2018.

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection as part of a random selection of services rated Good and Outstanding.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.