Fairlight Manor

Updated 28 July 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 completed by 2 inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Fairlight manor 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 CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Fairlight Manor is a care home without nursing.

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. Inspection activity started on 12 April 2023 and ended on 26 April 2023. We visited the location’s service on 17 April 2023.

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 this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During the inspection we observed the support people received throughout the day. We spoke with 11 people who used the service about their experience of the care provided and 5 relatives of people who use the service. We gathered feedback from 1 health care professional who regularly visited the service. We spoke with 4 members of care staff including the registered manager, clinical lead and kitchen staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 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 were reviewed.

Updated 28 July 2023

About the service

Fairlight Manor is a care home providing personal care to up to 19 people. The service provides support to older people, people living with dementia and other mental health conditions. At the time of our inspection there were 16 people using the service. Fairlight Manor accommodates people across two floors, each of which has separate adapted facilities.

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

Some people were not always kept safe. There were hazards with the environment that were not mitigated. There were stair gates in other areas of the service, however the first floor had a stair gate missing at the top of a staircase. This meant people’s safety was compromised living on that floor were at risk of falling should they have attempted to use the stairs if they were unsupervised or if they were not able to use the lift. This was addressed on the day of inspection.

Risk assessments were not always robust. Staff were not provided with full guidance with how to support people with different health needs and how to respond if health needs changed.

Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the service people received. However, they had not identified the shortfalls we found at this inspection with regards to risk assessments for people and the environment.

The registered manager did not notify the CQC of incidents in a timely fashion in accordance with their regulatory responsibilities.

Staff understood how to protect people from poor practice and abuse. People told us they felt safe at Fairlight Manor. We observed people to be relaxed in the company of staff. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse.

People and their relatives told us they were happy with staffing levels. Staff were recruited safely and were suitable skilled and trained to support people.

Relatives told us they were confident in the care provided to people. People were supported to have choice and control of their day to day lives. Records showed that if people needed other healthcare needs, these were arranged using external healthcare professionals.

Staff supported people in the least restrictive way and in their best interests. Staff, people and relatives were supported to engage with the service. People and relatives told us the management team were approachable and accessible. Staff told us they felt well supported, empowered to develop and that Fairlight had a positive culture to work within.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 14 December 2017).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection.

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

Enforcement

We have identified breaches in relation risk assessments, safety and management, and governance 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.