Sandrock House Residential Care Home

Updated 6 December 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.

The inspection took place on 5 September 2017 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by an adult social care inspector and an expert by experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. At the time of our inspection there were 34 people using the service.

Prior to the inspection visit we gathered information from a number of sources. We also looked at the information received about the service from notifications sent to the Care Quality Commission by the manager. We also spoke with the local authority.

We spoke with five people who used the service and four relatives, and spent time observing staff supporting people in the communal areas. We looked at three people’s care and support records, including the plans of their care. We also used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who we were unable to talk with.

We saw the systems used to manage people’s medication, including the storage and records kept. We also looked at the systems in place to ensure quality and checked to see if they were robust and if they identified areas for improvement.

We spoke with seven staff including three care workers, a senior care worker, the activity co-ordinator, the registered manager and the owner. We looked at documentation relating to people who used the service, staff and the management of the service.

Updated 6 December 2017

The inspection took place on 5 September 2017 and was unannounced. The last comprehensive inspection took place in March 2015, when the registered provider was meeting the regulations and the service was rated good.

Sandrock House is a care home situated in the Bessacarr area of Doncaster. It is registered to provide personal care for up to 37 people. The care provided is for people who have needs associated with those of older people and people living with dementia.

The service is near public transport and is in easy distance of the town centre and other amenities.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 registered manager and registered provider were committed to maintaining a high quality service which was based on the individual needs and preferences of people who used the service. The registered provider and registered manager were passionate about the service and ensured staff were trained and focused in providing person centred care.

There was a strong emphasis on continual improvement and best practice which benefited people who used the service. The registered provider was committed to ensuring the service constantly improved and kept people who used the service at the centre of new initiatives.

The registered provider and registered manager were committed to use innovative and creative ideas to achieve high standards and to ensure people were empowered and given opportunities to voice their opinions. The service was managed in a person centred way making sure people who used the service were at the heart of everything. The registered provider placed a strong emphasis on improvement and worked towards and achieved recognised quality accreditation schemes such as the Gold Standards Framework for End of Life Care, a malnutrition project and a project with the emergency care practitioner’s to develop staff skills around basic observations. This report gives examples about how these projects have impacted on people’s lives.

People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff we spoke with were extremely knowledgeable about the procedure to follow for reporting concerns of a safeguarding nature. Staff were also aware of the whistle blowing procedure and confirmed that they would not hesitate to use this if required.

Risks associated with people’s care were identified and plans were in place to help minimise the risk from occurring. Staff were knowledgeable about risks and knew how to prevent them.

We found medicines were managed in a safe way and people received their medicines as prescribed. Medicines were stored appropriately and temperatures were taken of the medicine rooms and fridge.

Through our observations and talking with relatives of people who used the service and the staff, we found there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff told us there was enough of them to assist people without rushing and they had time to spend talking with people.

The registered provider had a safe recruitment process in place. Pre-employment checks were carried out prior to the person commencing their employment at the service.

Staff received training which gave them the skills and knowledge to carry out their role effectively. Training was refreshed on a regular basis to ensure their knowledge was updated and well maintained. The registered provider was also committed to their own training and was currently in the process of completing a level 5 management diploma.

People received a healthy, balanced diet that met their needs and ensured they received appropriate nutritious food and drink intake. The registered provider was involved in a project which ensured people received the right nutrition to maintain their calorie intake and to prevent people loosing unnecessary weight and becoming malnourished.

The registered provider was meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Care plans included information regarding capacity and this was assessed on an individual basis and was decision specific.

People who used the service and their relatives were extremely satisfied with the home and felt it provided a safe and comfortable environment where their preferences and wishes were upheld. The registered manager and staff team were committed to a strong person centred culture. Key values such as kindness, caring, respect and privacy were reflected on the day of our inspection and were embedded in to practice.

We observed staff interacting with people who used the service and found they were exceptionally caring and committed in providing person centred support. Staff shared a passion which ensured people felt valued and were at the heart of their care. People we spoke with felt valued and respected.

We looked at care records belonging to people who used the service and we found they reflected people’s needs and preferences. Social activities and stimulation were provided which were arranged by two activity co-ordinators. People felt able to raise concerns and told us the registered provider took appropriate actions to resolve them.

Further information is in the detailed findings below