Background to this inspection
Updated
12 December 2018
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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This comprehensive inspection took place on 23 October 2018 and was unannounced.
The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector and an expert-by-experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of caring for someone who uses this type of care service for people who live with a dementia related condition.
Before the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service as part of our inspection. This included the notifications we had received from the provider. Notifications are changes, events or incidents the provider is legally obliged to send CQC within required timescales. We also contacted commissioners from the Local Authorities who contracted people’s care and professionals who provided specialist advice and support to some people who used the service.
During this inspection we carried out general observations.
During the inspection we spoke with 10 people who lived or were staying at Shadon House, four relatives, six support workers including two senior support workers, the cook, the acting manager and team manager. We reviewed a range of records about people's care and how the service was managed. We looked at care records for four people, four people’s medicines records, recruitment records for three staff, staffing rosters, staff meeting minutes, meeting minutes for people who used the service, maintenance contracts and quality assurance audits the management team had completed.
Updated
12 December 2018
Shadon House is a care home that provides accommodation and personal care for a maximum of 23 older people, some whom may live with dementia. Specialist dementia care is provided for people who require respite care or assessment.
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 accommodated 16 people at the time of the inspection.
At our last inspection we rated the service outstanding. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of outstanding and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
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At this inspection we found the service remained Outstanding.
People were extremely well-cared for, relaxed and comfortable. Staff knew the people they were supporting very well and we observed that care was provided with great patience and kindness. The service went to great lengths to ensure people’s privacy and dignity were always respected. Everyone we spoke with complimented and praised the staff team and gave examples of the outstanding care that was delivered.
Staff were very well-supported by the management team. Staff were highly skilled and knowledgeable about each person they cared for and they were extremely committed to making a positive difference to each person. They were enthusiastic and believed passionately in the ethos of the service.
There was clear evidence of collaborative working and excellent communication with other professionals in order to help people progress and become more independent. The service was very flexible and adapted to people's changing needs and desires, enabling positive outcomes for all people. Records were well-personalised, up-to-date and accurately reflected people's care and support needs. Care was completely centred and tailored to each individual. Risk assessments were in place and they identified current risks to the person as well as ways for staff to minimise or appropriately manage those risks.
There were enough staff available to provide individual care and support to each person. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible, the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People were appropriately supported in maintaining their health and they received their medicines in a safe way. They were provided with many opportunities to follow their interests and hobbies. They were all supported to be part of the local community. A wide range of therapeutic techniques were used to enhance people's well-being and provide stimulation. The building had been designed to meet the needs of people living with dementia, in line with current research, and provided plenty of sensory and tactile stimulation. Areas were decorated with 'themes' to help people orientate around the home.
Staff received opportunities for training including specialist training to meet peoples' care needs and in a safe way. A system was in place for staff to receive supervision and appraisal and there were robust recruitment processes being used when staff were employed.
The service consistently strived to ensure that people had the best possible care, and that they were supported in a compassionate, dignified and safe way. The service had forged successful partnerships with an array of other stakeholders, was actively involved in research and innovation and aimed to provide an excellent care experience for people. The service frequently referred to best practise guidelines to formulate the type and style of care provided for people. The service's staff were often nominated for, and commended in, national care sector awards.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.