Sandycroft

Updated 19 June 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection prevention and control 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 carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Sandycroft is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service did not have a manager registered with CQC. The registered manager and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. At the time of the inspection, an interim manager had been recruited and the appropriate registration paperwork was in the process of being completed.

Notice of inspection

We gave 24 hours’ notice of the inspection because infection prevention and control arrangements had to be agreed with the provider and put in place prior to our visit; this helped to mitigate the risk of any cross contamination or transmission of Covid-19.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service and sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the interim manager, two deputy managers, two members of staff, three relatives about their experiences of care provided to their loved ones, one external healthcare professional 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 records. Records included three people’s care records, several medication administration records and three staff personnel files in relation to recruitment. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management and governance of the service, including policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at audit and governance data, as well as infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

Updated 19 June 2021

About the service

Sandycroft is a ‘care home’, providing accommodation and personal care for up to five younger adults with sensory impairments, learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders. Accommodation was provided over two floors. At the time of the inspection five people

were living at the service.

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

People’s support needs and areas of risk were thoroughly assessed, the relevant support measures were put in place and people’s health and well-being was regularly reviewed as a way of keeping people safe.

Care plans and risk assessments contained tailored and relevant information. People received support from dedicated key workers who were familiar with the support they needed and the risks that needed to be robustly managed.

Safe medication systems and procedures were in place. People received their medicines as prescribed by trained members of staff. We did highlight some areas of best practice in relation to topical (cream) medication administration records and stock balance sheets. Suggestions were immediately implemented following the inspection.

People were safeguarded and protected from avoidable harm. Safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures were in place and staff knew how to report and escalate their concerns. All relatives we spoke with expressed that they felt their loved ones were safe and received a safe level of care from the staff / management team. One relative told us, “I don’t think [person] would receive better care anywhere else; they’re [staff] all amazing.”

Safe staffing levels and recruitment procedures were in place, staff received regular supervision, were supported with a mandatory and bespoke training courses and told us they felt valued and supported by the management team.

Not all visitors were asked screening questions in relation to COVID-19 prior to entering the home. We signposted the interim manager to this area of best practice. The home was clean, hygienic and well-maintained. Health and safety measures were in place and the provider ensured that all regulatory compliance certificates were in date.

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.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports The Care Quality Commission (CQC) to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the principles of ‘Right support, right care, right culture’. The model of care and setting helped to maximise people’s choice, control and Independence. The level of care was person-centred and promoted people’s dignity, privacy and human rights and the ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensured that people using the service lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.

Effective governance and quality assurance measures were in place; these helped to monitor, review and improve the quality and safety of care people received.

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

This was the services first inspection since being registered with CQC in March 2020.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection following their registration with CQC.

We looked at infection prevention and control (IPC) 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.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to our inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.