Sunnyfield

Updated 4 December 2020

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 the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

This inspection took place on 17 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 4 December 2020

This comprehensive inspection took place on 11 September and was unannounced. Sunnyfield 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 service can accommodate up to ten people. There is the main house which accommodates six people, an annexe accommodating three people and a separate bungalow for one person. Each area has its own communal areas and kitchen.

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.

At the last comprehensive inspection in 2016, the service was rated good overall but achieved outstanding in well-led. At this inspection we found the service had continued to develop and had improved to outstanding.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for ‘Sunnyfield’ on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.'

The service had a registered manager in post at the time of our 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 registered manager was registered at three locations; a deputy manager was also in post to assist with the management of this location.

The service was extremely person-centred and staff were proactive in ensuring people were supported to live fulfilled and meaningful lives. Person centred means that care was tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of each person, as an individual. The vision of the service was shared by the management team and staff. The visions and values were displayed and included, ‘fulfilling lives, celebrating success and encouraging glimpses of brilliance.’

There was a range of excellent social opportunities for people which truly incorporated people, their relatives and the community. As a result, people had a sense of belonging and recognised positive improvements this approach had made to their lives.

Staff ensured that people's emotional needs were supported at sensitive moments in their life and had worked closely with them, their relatives and health care professionals, especially when managing bereavement.

Staff were passionate about ensuring they understood people's needs, abilities. visions and values. As a result, people had blossomed as individuals because of staff's positive approach. Staff understood the importance of maximising the opportunities for people and people had been able to develop their skills, seek employment, education and build friendships within the local area. Staff also had an above and beyond approach to supporting people to live truly fulfilling lives. Staff understood the importance of ensuring that they knew people's individual needs in relation to protected characteristics, values and beliefs. Protected characteristics are covered by the Equality Act for example, race, religion, disability and age.

Potential barrier to communication and relationships were addressed. People, staff and the relatives and friends of people who used the service were supported to build positive relationships.

Quality assurance systems continued to be robust and used regularly by the management team to continuously improve the service. The registered manager had a thorough system in place to ensure lessons learned were thoroughly embedded. The registered manager promoted accountability for all staff. Continuous improvement was driven by engagement with people using the service and staff. The registered manager was keen to learn from best practice to ensure people received the best possible support and outcomes.

The registered manager demonstrated clear visions and values and was passionate and committed to providing an excellent person-centred service. These values were cascaded to staff who were equally enthusiastic about fulfilling their roles and responsibilities in a way that delivered the best possible outcomes for people.

Staff were passionate and highly motivated and offered care and support that was exceptionally compassionate and kind. Respect for privacy and dignity was at the heart of the service's culture and values.

People who used the service were safe. Medication systems were followed ensuring people received medication as prescribed. Safe recruitment processes had been followed. People who used the service were involved in the interview process of potential new staff. We found there was enough staff on duty to support people safely. The service was well maintained and clean. Infection control was adhered to by staff.

Staff had been provided with training to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to support people safely. Staff received regular support and guidance from the management team and were encouraged to continuously develop within their role.

People were encouraged and supported to follow a healthy balanced diet. People's choices were respected and although living with other people, each person was treated as an individual. Staff understood the importance of ensuring people received regular health checks. Staff worked in partnership with other professionals to ensure people received the best possible care and support.

A complaints policy and procedure was in place and available in formats people could understand. People were confident and complaints would be addressed appropriately.

There were good systems in place to monitor incidents and accidents. There were arrangements in place for the service to make sure that action was taken and lessons learned when things went wrong, to improve safety across the service.

The service had an open and inclusive culture which encouraged communication and learning. People, relatives and staff were encouraged to provide feedback about the service and it was used to drive improvement.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.