Old Shenfield Place

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.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors.

Service and service type

Old Shenfield Place 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 had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

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 and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with seven people about their experience of the service. We spoke with eight members of staff which included the registered manager, senior staff member and care staff on duty.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care plans and multiple medicines records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision and a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures. We spent time observing people and staff together to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

After the inspection

We reviewed all the information the registered manager sent us which included quality audits, training records, policies and procedures and records of meetings.

Updated 27 May 2022

About the service

Old Shenfield Place is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 31 people. The service provides support to disabled people and older people some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 26 people using the service.

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

The service was not always well led. The quality assurance processes were not robust, and the registered manager did not always have complete oversight of the service. Harm to people was not always reported to the relevant authorities.

Staff were not always employed safely as not all information was obtained during the recruitment process.

We made a recommendation the provider look at their staff recruitment processes.

There were enough staff to support the service, however rota arrangements needed to take into account when people went out.

We made a recommendation the provider consider their staffing arrangements

Risks to people had been assessed and recorded. The service was clean and infection control guidelines were being followed. People received their medicines safely.

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 with their health needs and to eat and drink well. Staff were well trained and received support and supervision.

People were supported to take part in activities and to maintain relationships and social interactions with others. Staff worked hard to ensure people felt included and supported. There was a complaints system in place for people if they needed to raise concerns. Staff were trained to care for people at the end of their life.

The culture and atmosphere in the service was open, inclusive and respectful and there was a consistent staff team. People were involved in their care and there was good liaison with health and social care professionals

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Why we inspected

This service was registered with us on 22 August 2019 and this is the first comprehensive inspection giving the service a rating.

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.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified a breach in relation to the oversight of the service at this inspection. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.