Sansa House

Updated 29 March 2022

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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 24 February 2021 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 29 March 2022

About the service

Sansa House is a residential care home providing personal care to five people living with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and/or mental health needs. Accommodation was provided across a ground floor building with five “annexes” and shared living spaces and kitchen facilities and a first-floor self-contained annexe. The home was close to local amenities and fit in with surrounding properties.

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 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 received outstanding support which put them at the centre of their care. People of all abilities were supported in a completely personalised way to maximise their independence and make sure their views were heard. Staff were exceptionally skilled in supporting people’s complex needs. The service provided experienced and knowledgeable leadership in both the running of the service and in supporting people’s anxieties or agitation which could lead to behaviours which could challenge staff.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. The service supported people to achieve better than expected outcomes through the use of evidence-based, best practice models of support which promoted control, choice and independence. Staff were proactive in managing all aspects of people’s physical health and mental wellbeing and worked well with people’s network of professionals and with their families or those important to them.

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 supported to take part in hobbies, activities and employment opportunities which would interest them and develop their confidence. People were supported to maintain and develop personal relationships with family, friends and partners.

The service had a clear culture and set of values which was reflected by staff at all levels. Professionals and relatives told us that the service focussed on valuing the individual and promoting independence. There were robust, well-embedded quality assurance measures in place which ensured the quality of the service was maintained through periods of change.

The service was safe and had innovative ways of supporting people to develop their understanding of risk and safety. The home managed risks such as infection control, health and safety and fire effectively. The service proactively managed people’s medicines to ensure these were effective and were managed safely.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was outstanding (published 30 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.