Tendring Meadows

Updated 5 October 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 team consisted of 3 inspectors, including 1 specialist medicines inspector. An Expert by Experience carried out telephone calls to seek feedback from people and their relatives or advocates on the care provided. 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

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

Following the last inspection, the provider requested CQC remove the specialist service user band for supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people at Tendring Meadows. We therefore did not assess the service using this specific methodology.

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 30 August 2023 and ended on 13 September 2023. We visited the location’s service on 30 August 2023 and 1 September 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

We spoke with 1 person and 12 people’s relatives or friends to seek feedback on the care and support provided. We observed care and support in shared areas of the service. We reviewed 16 people’s medicine administration records (MARs), 3 people’s care plans, and multiple people’s risk assessments. We spoke with 4 professionals who work with the service for their views.

We spoke with 13 members of staff including care workers, senior care workers, the HR administrator, a laundry assistant, a domestic cleaner, the maintenance person, the activities coordinator, the deputy manager, the registered manager, and the corporate compliance manager. We also met with company directors and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We reviewed a range of documents relating to the governance and oversight of the service such as audits, policies, and procedures.

Updated 5 October 2023

About the service

Tendring Meadows is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation to up to 53 people. The service provides support to people with physical disabilities, sensory impairments, mental health needs and to people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 16 people using the service. Tendring Meadows accommodates people in 1 adapted building over 2 floors. At the time of inspection, the top floor was closed for renovation works.

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

People’s medicines were given safely and as prescribed. Risk was well managed, including for people’s individual health conditions. We were assured infection prevention and control measures were effective. Staff were recruited safely, and there were sufficient numbers of staff suitably deployed to meet people’s needs. Safeguarding matters were investigated fully, and lessons learned.

New directors had taken over since the last inspection, and they had invested significantly in the environment, leading to extensive improvements to the building and grounds. Staff received an induction, training, supervisions, and practical competency assessments in line with national best practice guidance. People were supported to eat a balanced diet. The service worked well with other professionals, making referrals, and acting on guidance as required.

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.

Staff were kind and compassionate, treating people with dignity and respect. Systems and processes were in place to support a consistently caring service. There was a calm and positive atmosphere. Equality and diversity characteristics were considered as part of the care planning process. People’s views and preferences were considered and acted upon.

Care was planned and updated in response to people’s changing needs. There was an effective system for monitoring and responding to complaints. Information was communicated in an accessible way. People could spend time engaging in meaningful leisure activities. The service worked with other professionals to support people reaching the end of their life.

A new registered manager and new directors were in place since the last inspection, and rapid improvements had been made. There was a positive and open culture, which impacted on staff morale. Systems and processes were in place to facilitate good governance; this now needs to be developed, embedded, and sustained. Professionals and those important to people living at Tendring Meadows gave us good feedback on partnership working with the service.

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 inadequate (published 3 February 2023). The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Following serious concerns about the management of choking identified at an earlier inspection (published 30 March 2022), we imposed urgent conditions on the provider's registration. These conditions required the provider to report to the CQC every month on how they were keeping people safe from the risk of choking. Following this inspection, these conditions will be removed due to the improvements made.

At our last inspection we recommended staff receive regular competency assessments in alignment with national best practice guidance. At this inspection we found this had been implemented effectively.

This service has been in Special Measures since 29 March 2022. 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

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

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

Since the last inspection we recognised that the provider (under the previous directors) had failed to ensure a registered manager was in post since 2021, without reasonable excuse. This was a breach of regulation, and we issued a fixed penalty notice. The provider accepted a fixed penalty and paid this in full. A registered manager was now in post to oversee the running of the service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.