Brendoncare Knightwood

Updated 31 January 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.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

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

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 for the service. However, they had recently transferred to another of the provider’s services. A new manager was in post who had started the process of registration with the CQC.

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 service improvement and safeguarding teams. The provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with eight people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 16 members of staff including the manager, deputy manager, chef manager, domestic staff and care workers. We made observations throughout the day of interactions between people and staff. We received feedback from three health and social care professionals.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 31 January 2023

About the service

Brendoncare Knightwood is a residential care home registered to provide care and support to up to 20 people. The service provides care for older people. At the time of our inspection there were 20 people receiving care and support at the home.

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

People told us they were safe living at Brendoncare Knightwood. Staff supported people to live independent lives. People had risk assessments in place for their care and support needs and staff knew them well. Environmental safety checks were in place and the provider was in the process of ensuring clarity with transfer to an electronic monitoring system.

There were enough staff on duty. There was a recruitment process in place. However, this was not always followed, we have made a recommendation to the provider about recruitment. Staff had the necessary skills to carry out their role effectively and regular training and updates kept their skills refreshed. Staff knew how to recognise the signs of abuse and who to report to, they told us they were confident the manager would take them seriously and follow them up.

Infection control procedures were robust, the home was clean, tidy and hygiene practices were good. Staff had received training in infection, prevention and control. Medicines were managed safely. The environment was designed so people could move around independently and safely. Staff told us they received enough training to do their job, the manager had plans to introduce workshops and refreshers which was welcomed by staff.

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 living at Brendoncare Knightwood were able to give their consent and had the capacity to make decisions. The manager was clear in their responsibilities of how to support people when there was a concern regarding capacity.

People told us staff were kind and caring. Staff spoke affectionately about people. Dignity and respect was obvious within observations and conversations between people and staff. People’s needs regarding eating and drinking were assessed. We received overwhelmingly positive reviews about the food at Brendoncare Knightwood. People had access to healthcare as needed and referrals were made in a timely manner.

People had personalised care plans in place, they were reviewed regularly, promoting independence for people. Staff told us this was important to focus on the abilities of people. People were given the opportunity to discuss their end of life needs and wishes. The team at Brendoncare Knightwood had received praise on their end of life care for people.

People knew how to make a complaint, records showed concerns and complaints had been dealt with satisfactorily. There was a complaints policy in place, and it was being updated to reflect changes within the organisation. People’s communication needs were recorded.

Brendoncare Knightwood was well led, we received positive feedback about the management of the home. Quality assurances systems operated effectively and enabled the home to drive continual improvement. The manager was supported by staff who understood their roles and responsibilities. The manager understood legal requirements to notify CQC of certain events which took place in the home. Relationships with external health and social care professionals were maintained and working well.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 9 October 2017).

Why we inspected

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

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.

Follow up

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