Newhaven

Updated 8 January 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection site visit took place on 15 December 2018 and was announced. The provider was given 24 hours' notice because we wanted the people to be informed so that anxiety levels linked to their mental health needs could be reduced. The inspection was carried out by a single inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service. This included notifications the home had sent us. A notification is the means by which providers tell us important information that affects the running of the service and the care people receive. We contacted the local authority quality assurance team and safeguarding team to obtain their views about the service.

We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We spoke with four people who used the service and two staff. We received feedback from two health and social care professionals via the telephone.

We spoke with the registered manager and deputy manager. We reviewed three people’s care files, four Medicine Administration Records (MAR), policies, risk assessments, health and safety records, consent to care and treatment, quality audits and the 2018 resident and staff survey results. We looked at three staff files, the recruitment process, complaints, training and supervision records.

We walked around the building and observed care practice and interactions between support staff and people who live there.

We asked the registered manager to send us information after the visit. This included policies. They agreed to submit this and did so via email.

Updated 8 January 2019

The inspection took place on 15 December 2018 and was announced.

Newhaven is located in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. It provides care for up to seven people with mental health issues and learning disabilities in a residential setting. At the time of our inspection there were six people living in the home.

Newhaven is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. People were supported in a semi-detached house. Bedrooms were spread over two floors. There was a large communal lounge and a dining area on the ground floor. Access to the first floor was via a staircase. There were accessible outside areas to the rear of the home and an enclosed garden.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People were protected from avoidable harm as staff understood how to recognise signs of abuse and the actions needed if abuse was suspected. There were enough staff to provide safe care and recruitment checks had ensured they were suitable to work with vulnerable adults. When people were at risk of falling or skin damage staff understood the actions needed to minimise avoidable harm. The service was responsive when things went wrong and reviewed practices in a timely manner. Medicines were administered and managed safely by trained staff.

People had been involved in assessments of their care needs and had their choices and wishes respected including access to healthcare when required. Their care was provided by staff who had received an induction and on-going training that enabled them to carry out their role effectively. People had their eating and drinking needs understood and met. Opportunities to work in partnership with other organisations took place to ensure positive outcomes for people using the service. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People and professionals described the staff as caring, kind and friendly and the atmosphere of the home as homely. People were able to express their views about their care and felt in control of their day to day lives. People had their dignity, privacy and independence respected.

People had their care needs met by staff who were knowledgeable about how they were able to communicate their needs, their life histories and the people important to them. A complaints process was in place and people felt they would be listened to and actions taken if they raised concerns. People’s end of life wishes were known including their individual spiritual and cultural wishes.

The service had an open and positive culture that encouraged involvement of people, their families, staff and other professional organisations. Leadership was visible and promoted teamwork. Staff spoke positively about the management and had a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Audits and quality assurance processes were effective in driving service improvements. The service understood their legal responsibilities for reporting and sharing information with other services.

Further information is in the detailed findings below