Cole Valley

Updated 18 February 2023

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 2 inspectors and a specialist advisor (who was a qualified nurse).

Service and service type

Cole Valley 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. Cole Valley is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

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

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

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people who lived at the home, 7 relatives/representatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 11 staff including the nominated individual, registered manager, quality manager, nurse, care staff, domestic staff, maintenance staff and kitchen staff. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 6 people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits and policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 18 February 2023

About the service

Cole Valley is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 45 people. The service provides support to older people, people with physical disabilities and people who are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 15 people using the service.

The care home accommodates people in one adapted building over two floors, with bedrooms on the ground and first floor. People had access to three lounges, a dining room and a garden.

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

The new registered manager had made positive changes in the service and was supported by the provider and staff team. People, staff and relatives/representatives spoke positively about the management team and regular meetings were held so they could share their views on the home. Systems had been improved to ensure people’s care needs were being met and any areas for improvement were identified. These systems required time to embed into practice as the home grew in numbers.

People and relatives/representatives told us safe care was provided. Staff had received safeguarding training and concerns had been raised and acted on appropriately. Medicines were managed safely, and we observed good infection control measures. The provider had a robust recruitment process and there were enough staff to meet people's needs.

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 happy with the quality of the food. Staff received training appropriate to people’s needs. People were supported to access healthcare professionals when required.

People told us they were supported by kind and caring staff who treated them with dignity and respect. People and relatives/representative were involved in decisions about their care and their independence was encouraged.

Care plans contained personalised information about people and staff knew people well. A variety of activities took place on a daily basis and staff spent time with people in their bedrooms. People were complimentary about the home and felt able to raise any concerns if needed. End of life care plans were in place and staff had received training.

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 requires improvement (published 09 June 2022).

The provider was in breach of regulations and we held a meeting with the provider to discuss our concerns. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

This service has been in Special Measures since 10 June 2021. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Why we inspected

We carried out an unannounced focused inspection of this service on 24 and 28 March 2022. Breaches of legal requirements were found in relation to how people were supported to consent and the governance of the service. We undertook this inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements.

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.