4 Mill Road

Updated 27 January 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 14 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 27 January 2022

This inspection took place on the 30 and 31 May 2018 and was unannounced.

At the previous inspection of this service in February 2017 the overall rating was requires improvement because we found improvements were needed in relation to the allocation of staff and the quality assurance system was not robust as it had not identified areas where improvements were needed. We carried out a focused inspection in June 2017 to look at ‘safe’ and found that the concerns regarding staffing continued.

We undertook this unannounced comprehensive inspection to look at all aspects of the service and confirm that the service now met legal requirements. We found improvements had been made, the provider had met the legal requirements and the overall rating had improved to Good.

Sedgemoor and Framley is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or 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 home is one of three owned by the Eastbourne and District Mencap charity. It comprises of two houses joined by a link building and there is a separate bungalow to the rear that is used by two people.

The home provides support and accommodation for up to 23 young adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health issues. There were 18 people living at the home during the inspection, who needed assistance with personal care and with support in the community.

The registered manager was present during the inspection. 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.

The quality assurance system had identified areas where improvements were needed and the provider had taken action to drive improvement, with regard to ensuring that records reflected the support provided and that policies and procedures were up to date. 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. With current guidelines in terms of smaller units to support people with learning disabilities, this home would be unlikely to be considered for registration as they support a large number of people.

There were sufficient staff working in the home and people were supported to be independent and enjoy their hobbies and interests. Staff were appropriately trained and assisted people to take part in activities and join in with community groups and festivals.

Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding and how to protect people from abuse and supported people to make choices and decisions about their daily lives. Feedback was consistently sought from people about the services provided and staff planned improvements based on their views.

The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The management and staff had attended training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and were aware of current guidance to ensure people were protected. DoLS applications had been made when required to ensure people were safe and the registered manager was waiting for a response from local authority.

From August 2016 all organisations that provide NHS care or adult social care are legally required to follow the Accessible Information Standard. The standard aims to make sure that people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss are provided with information that they can easily read or understand so that they can communicate effectively. Staff said they had not received this training, but they had a good understanding of each person’s communication abilities. We have made a recommendation that the provider seeks advice and guidance from a reputable source, about Accessible Information Standards (AIS) to ensure staff are aware of their responsibilities.