The Grove

Updated 1 April 2020

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.

Inspection team

An inspector and inspection manager completed this inspection.

Service and service type

The Grove is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care. 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 was an unannounced inspection.

What we did

We reviewed information we had received about the service, which included details about incidents the provider must notify us about, 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. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all the information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We met five people who used the service. People had a range of verbal communication skills so we spoke with some people and to one person via their speech generator device. We also observed their care being provided. We telephoned four relatives to talk about their experience of the care and support provided. We spoke with the registered manager, regional manager, two senior care staff and four care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records, medication records and various records related to recruitment, staff training and supervision, and the management of the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 1 April 2020

About the service

The Grove is a care home that provides a short-break service for up to eight to people with learning and physical disabilities. Two rooms at the service that can accommodate people with physical disabilities who use wheelchairs. At the time of the inspection 61 people used the service at least once during the year. People’s visits range from a couple of days to a week-long stay. The home can also provide a crisis service for people who may need to stay somewhere for a little longer.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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

People told us they enjoyed their visits to the service and felt staff ensured they had an enjoyable holiday. They described how staff knew them well, provided them with all the support they needed and how this was the best short-break service they had used.

The registered manager and staff consistently demonstrated they valued and respected the people who used the service. The staff were passionate about supporting people to enjoy their stay and have a holiday experience. The staff team consistently considered how to enhance people’s lives whilst they stayed at the home and offered a wide range of activities and outings for people to go on.

Staff were committed to delivering a service which was person-centred. Some people used Makaton and other sign language, but communication plans did not contain information about what signs meant. The registered manager stated they would ask families to help staff produce dictionaries of what signs meant for the person.

The registered manager planned bookings in advance and co-ordinated them to reflect people were compatible and there were enough staff on duty. The staffing levels were increased or decreased in line with the number of people at the service and their needs.

Staff took steps to safeguard vulnerable adults and promoted their human rights. Incidents were dealt with appropriately and lessons were learnt, which helped to keep people safe. People's support needs were thoroughly assessed and reviewed prior to each visit to ensure the information the home held remained accurate.

Staff actively promoted equality and diversity within the home. Staff respected people’s cultural and religious beliefs and practices. 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 supported people to manage their healthcare needs and promoted their wellbeing. When necessary, external professionals were involved in individuals care. The staff supported people to eat varied, appetizing meals. Medicine was administered in a safe manner.

Thorough checks were completed prior to staff being employed to work at the service. Staff had received appropriate training and supervision. The provider had enabled staff to access a varied and extensive range of condition specific training. The staff had found the training they received assisted them to significantly improve people’s quality of life but felt they would benefit from more practical training around working with people who displayed distress behaviours and sign language. The regional manager immediately put measures in place to support staff access this training.

People’s voices were of paramount importance in the service. The registered manager understood how to investigate and resolve complaints.

The service was well run. Systems were in place which effectively monitored how the service operated and ensured staff delivered appropriate care and treatment.

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

Rating at last inspection

Good (report published 8 August 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.