We carried out a review of the data available to us about Clements House on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Clements House, you can give feedback on this service.
Clements House is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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 registered to provide accommodation and care for up to seven people who may have mental health needs, an eating disorder, physical disability, sensory impairment and/or needs associated with drug and alcohol misuse. At the time of the inspection there were 6 people living at the home. Clements House is a detached two storey home situated in a residential area close to the Bognor Regis seafront. All bedrooms are single occupancy and each has its own en-suite bathroom with a toilet, washbasin and shower. There was an open plan living room and dining room which people used. There was also a separate room for relaxation and quiet space. There was a garden with seating for people to use.
At our last inspection we rated the service as Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
People said they liked living at the home. People said they got the care they needed and that they were supported to develop and maintain independent living skills. One person told us they would score the service 8/10. People were involved in daily routines in the home such as cleaning and cooking to help them to recover from mental health symptoms and to develop domestic living skills.
People said they felt safe at the home. Staff were trained in safeguarding procedures and had a good awareness of the importance of protecting people. There were comprehensive assessments of risks to people and to others. There were clear written procedures regarding people’s safety and these were devised in line with any guidance or statutory requirements of any relevant legislation.
Medicines were safely managed. Sufficient numbers of staff were provided and checks were made on the suitability of new staff to work in a care setting. The service was clean and hygienic. Reviews of care and incidents took place.
Care staff were supported well and had access to a range of training courses including nationally recognised qualifications in care.
People’s nutritional needs were assessed. There was a choice of food and people said they liked the food. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff had a good awareness of people’s rights to care and to be treated equally irrespective of any disability. People were involved in decisions about their care. People’s privacy was promoted.
People received responsive care to meet their individual needs and preferences. People’s needs were assessed and people were involved in decisions about their care. There was a range of activities for people which they enjoyed as well as access to community facilities.
There was an effective complaints procedure.
The service was well – led. The culture of the service supported people to recover and manage mental health symptoms in a safe environment where they could develop their independence. The provider ensured staff were supported to develop their skills and knowledge and that person centred care was provided. The provider and staff worked well with other agencies to ensure people got the right support. There was a system of checks and audits regarding the safety and quality of the service provided.
The inspection took place on 21 December 2015 and was unannounced.
Clements House is a residential care home which provides care and support for up to seven people with a variety of mental health needs and learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were six people living at the home.
Clements House is a detached two storey home. All bedrooms were single occupancy. There was a communal open planned lounge and dining room and a conservatory which was being used as a smoking area. There was a kitchen which people could use to prepare their own food. The home had a family cat.
There was a registered manager in place who was in day to day charge and worked alongside staff in order to provide care for people. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered managers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Staff were trained in adult safeguarding procedures and knew what to do if they considered people were at risk of harm or if they needed to report any suspected abuse. People said they felt safe at the home.
Systems were in place to identify risks and protect people from harm. Risk assessments were in place and reviewed monthly. Where someone was identified as being at risk actions were identified on how to reduce the risk and referrals were made to health professionals as required.
Policies and procedures were in place to ensure the safe ordering, administration, storage and disposal of medicines. Medicines were managed, stored, given to people as prescribed and disposed of safely.
There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to keep people safe and to meet people’s needs. Safe staff recruitment procedures ensured only those staff suitable to work in a care setting were employed.
The Care Quality Commission monitors the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. Staff were trained in the MCA and DoLS. People at the service had capacity and the staff sought people’s consent about arrangements for their care.
Staff were skilled in working with people who had mental health needs and learning disabilities. Training included positive communication, conflict management, schizophrenia and Asperger’s syndrome, drug and alcohol awareness.
People's health care needs were assessed, monitored and recorded. Referrals for assessment and treatment were made when needed and people received regular health checks.
Staff were caring, knew people well, and treated people in a dignified and respectful way. Staff acknowledged people's privacy. People commented that staff were understanding of their mental health needs and provided support during periods of distress. Staff had positive working relationships with people.
Care was provided to people based on their individual needs and was person-centred. People were fully involved in the assessment of their needs and in care planning to meet those needs. Staff had a good knowledge of people's changing needs and action was taken to review care needs.
Staff listened and acted on what people said and there were opportunities for people to contribute to how the service was organised. People knew how to raise any concerns. The views of people, relatives, health and social care professionals were sought as part a quality assurance process.
Quality assurance systems were in place to regularly review the quality of the service that was provided.
Comments included. 'This is a good place to live. I don't have to walk upstairs and the staff are really nice to us.'
For each person living in the home there was a detailed plan of care in place that included people's individual needs and wishes and also included both physical and emotional healthcare needs.
The home's staff worked with a variety of health care professional including learning disability and mental health teams. We were shown evidence that advocates and specialist consultants were used where appropriate.
People were protected from risk of abuse or harm by there being safeguarding procedures in place and by staff knowing how to use them.
Evidence we saw showed that people were supported by an experienced and well trained staff team.
Comments included. 'I live here now and it's a lovely place. I like the garden and having a cat. We get help from staff and when I am having a bad day, they help pick me up. They encourage me a lot."
A regular cycle of quality audits was undertaken to ensure that the home was kept under review. Records showed us that people using the service and their families were consulted.