Summer Wood Residential Care Home is a semi-detached property close to Bexhill-on-Sea train station. It provides care and support for up to four adults who have learning disabilities and/or autism. Its focus is to provide a supportive family environment and home. There were four people living at the service at the time of our inspection. They varied in age and included a mix of females and males and formed a group of people who jelled well although they had different needs and interests. Two people living in the home were out most of the day sometimes attending voluntary jobs and spending time in community with relatives or friends often spending time at the train station or in and around the shops. They came back to the home for evening meals and to sleep. Two people preferred to spend time together and with staff. Everyone was able to communicate verbally and were able to communicate their views on the service provided.
This inspection took place on 12 November 2014 and was unannounced. With a second visit undertaken on the 19 November to meet with people who were not present during unannounced visit.
The provider is an individual sole trader and also manages the home. As the registered provider they are the ‘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 recruitment practice followed did not ensure all the required checks were completed on staff before they started work.
People told us they felt they were safe and well cared for at Summer Wood Residential Care Home. Staff undertook safeguarding training and knew the correct procedures for reporting any suspicion of abuse
Staff were provided with a full induction and training programme before they worked unsupervised. Staffing arrangements ensured staff worked in such numbers with the appropriate skills that people’s needs could be met in a timely and safe way. People’s medicines were administered in a safe way by staff trained to undertake this role.
Staff responded to people on an individual basis. The care plans contained information on people’s preferences and risk assessments to keep people safe. Staff knew and understood people’s care needs well and there were systems in place for all staff to share information.
People were being supported to make decisions in their best interests. The registered manager and staff had received training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and related assessments and decisions had been appropriately completed.
People were able to have what they wanted to eat and decided between them. Mealtimes were a social event that included staff. Staff monitored people’s nutritional needs and responded to any changes in need.
People told us they were able to access health and social care professionals as needed. Records confirmed there was regular contact and input from relevant health and social care professionals. This included the local GP’s and community services including Opticians and practice nurses.
Staff treated people with respect and dignity. People were cared for by kind and polite staff. Staff knew people well and were able to describe detailed information about people their interests and preferences. There was a variety of activity and opportunity for interaction taking place inside and outside of the home. Links with family members was given a high priority and staff worked hard to support people in maintaining these.
People were given information on how to make a complaint and were encouraged to share their views. There was a system to deal with any complaint. Further feedback from people was gained through annual surveys, and regular daily contact with staff and the provider.
There were quality assurance systems in place to audit the home. This included regular audits on health and safety, infection control and medicines within the home. The culture in the home was open with the provider was readily available and willing to listen to anyone.
We found a breach of the Health and Social care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulation 2010
You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.