Skelton Court

Updated 1 January 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 27 November 2020 and was announced 10 minutes before entering the building.

Updated 1 January 2021

About the service

Skelton Court is a residential care home providing personal care and support. The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 15 people. Twelve people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home.

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

Staff knew how to minimise risks to people, and followed good practice guidance as detailed within risk assessments and care plans. People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who had undergone a robust recruitment process. People had their medicines safely when they needed them. People lived in a service which was well maintained and clean.

People’s needs were assessed and kept under review with consideration to best practice guidance. People were supported by staff who had the necessary skills and knowledge. Staff received ongoing support through training and supervision, to enable them to provide good quality care. Staff promoted people’s health, and people accessed health care services. People were encouraged to eat a diet which supported their needs and choices.

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 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 were positive about the relationships they had developed with staff. People’s privacy and dignity was promoted, and care was provided by staff in a kind and caring manner.

Staff responded to people’s needs by following their individual support plans, which reflected their hobbies and interests and encouraged people to access a range of community-based activities.

The registered manager was aware of their role and responsibilities in meeting their legal obligations and were supported by staff from other departments of the provider to achieve these. Systems to monitor the quality of the service were used to drive improvement, and included seeking the views of people, family members and stakeholders.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 09 June 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.