Sitwell Grove

Updated 22 November 2019

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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Sitwell Grove is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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 had a manager registered with the CQC. 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 inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection we looked at information we held about the service. This information included any statutory notifications that the provider had sent to the CQC. Statutory notifications include information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. We also 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 this information and the previous inspection report to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people using the service. One person due to their sensory and other needs was not able to speak with us. Therefore, we spent some time observing engagement between staff and people who used the service. We also spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, two care staff and the driver of the care home’s vehicle.

We reviewed a variety of records which related to people's individual care and the running of the service. These records included care files of three people using the service, three staff employment records, staff training information and quality monitoring records. We also discussed the PIR with management staff during the inspection.

After the inspection

We spoke with four people’s relatives, one social care professional who had visited the service on several occasions, one healthcare professional and two care staff.

Updated 22 November 2019

About the service

Sitwell Grove is a care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to four people who live with learning disabilities. There were four people using the service including one person who was receiving hospital care and treatment at the time of the inspection. Public transport services and a range of shops are located close to the home.

The service is also registered to provide personal care to people living in supported living services. At the time of this inspection the registered manager told us no one living in the supported living services needed support with their personal care. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

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 and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service received planned and coordinated person-centred support that was appropriate and inclusive for them.

The Secretary of State has asked the CQC to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.

As part of the thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager and deputy manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people. The service did not use any restrictive intervention practices.

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

People's care was planned with the full involvement of people using the service and when applicable their relatives. People were encouraged and supported to lead and direct their care. They received a service which was personalised and met their individual needs and preferences.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People’s relatives told us that people were cared for by competent staff who were kind, understood each person’s individual needs and provided people with personalised care and support.

Management staff worked in partnership with relatives and other agencies to support people's needs including good health and well-being.

Staff knew what their responsibilities were in relation to keeping people safe. They knew how to recognise and report any concerns they had about people's welfare.

The service assessed and managed risks to ensure that people received personal care and support safely. People were provided with the support they needed to take risks safely without restricting their independence.

Staff undertook training that supported them to have the knowledge and skills to do their job well and effectively meet people's needs.

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 chose what to eat and drink and received the information they needed to help them select healthy dietary options.

The provider had systems in place to manage and resolve complaints. People and their relatives had opportunities to be involved in decisions about the service and provide feedback. Action was taken to address issues they raised.

The registered manager and deputy manager were committed to providing people with personalised care that supported them to achieve the best possible outcomes. Systems were in place to assess and monitor the quality and delivery of care to people. Improvements to the service were made when needed.

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 18 July 2017)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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