Newhaven

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

Newhaven is a residential care home which provides care and support for up to seven people with a variety of mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were six people living at the service.

Newhaven is a terraced three storey home. All bedrooms were single occupancy. There was a communal lounge, kitchen, separate dining room and a garden, which included a designated smoking area. There was one bathroom, a shower room and four toilets.

There was a manager in post, who was in the process of applying to be the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run. The manager was not available during our visit; however, the area manager was on site and offered assistance.

Staff were trained in adult safeguarding procedures and knew what to do if they considered people were at risk of harm or if they needed to report any suspected abuse. People told us they felt safe at the home.

Systems were in place to identify risks and protect people from harm. Risk assessments were in place and reviewed monthly. Where someone was identified as being, at risk, actions were identified on how to reduce the risk and referrals were made to health professionals as required.

Accidents and incidents were accurately recorded and were assessed to identify patterns and triggers. Records were detailed and included actions taken following accidents and incidents. Reference was also made to behaviours, observations and other issues that may have led to an accident or incident.

Policies and procedures were in place to ensure the safe ordering, administration, storage and disposal of medicines. Medicines were managed, stored, given to people as prescribed and disposed of safely.

Staffing numbers were adequate to meet the needs of people living at the home. The provider used a dependency tool to determine staff allocation. This information was reviewed following incidents, where new behaviours were observed which might increase or change people's dependency level.

Safe staff recruitment procedures ensured only those staff suitable to work in a care setting were employed.

The Care Quality Commission monitors the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. Staff were trained in the MCA and DoLS. People at the service had capacity and the staff sought people's consent about arrangements for their care.

Staff were skilled in working with people who had mental health needs. Training included mental health awareness, behaviour management, schizophrenia, bi-polar, depression, personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Food was produced using fresh ingredients, to a high standard and offered good choice. People could choose to eat in the dining room or other areas of the home. Drinks were provided at regular intervals and on request.

People's health care needs were assessed, monitored and recorded. Referrals for assessment and treatment were made when needed and people received regular health checks.

Staff were caring, knew people well, and treated people in a dignified and respectful way. Staff acknowledged people's privacy. People commented that staff were understanding of their mental health needs and provided support during periods of distress. Staff had positive working relationships with people.

Care was provided to people based on their individual needs and was person-centred. People were fully involved in the assessment of their needs and in care planning to meet those needs. Staff had a good knowledge of people's changing needs and action was taken to review care needs.

Staff listened and acted on what people said and there were opportunities for people to contribute to how the service was organised. People knew how to raise any concerns. The views of people, relatives, health and social care professionals were sought as part of the quality assurance process.

Quality assurance systems were in place to regularly review and improve the quality of the service that was provided.

Comments included. 'This is a really nice home and people are good to us." Also. 'It's all o.k. the food is fine, we have a choice of what we want to do and I can help with the housework'.

For each person living in the home there was a detailed plan of care in place that included people's individual needs and wishes and also detailed emotional healthcare needs they may have. People told us that they were aware of their care plans and were involved in any changes.

In order to meet people's needs, the homes staff worked with a variety of healthcare professionals including mental health teams and the local district nurse and we were shown that specialist consultants were used where appropriate.

People were protected from risk of abuse or harm by there being safeguarding polices and procedures in place and by staff knowing how and when to use them.

There was sufficient staff to meet individual's needs and to protect people. We found that there was a thorough recruitment, induction and training programme in place.

People were very positive about the manager and staff team and said that they were kind, supportive and approachable.

There was a regular cycle of quality audits undertaken to ensure that the home was kept under review. We saw that outcomes from the last audits were positive.