Sycamore Park Care Home

Updated 20 July 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The service was inspected by one inspector.

Service and service type

Sycamore Park Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Sycamore Park Care Home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff, including the registered manager. We carried out observations of care.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We requested some documentation to be sent for us to review remotely.

Updated 20 July 2022

About the service

Sycamore Park Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 46 people. The service provides support to people with a range of needs, including those living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 41 people using the service.

Sycamore Park accommodates 46 people across three separate floors, each of which has separate adapted facilities. The middle floor specialises in providing care to people living with dementia.

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

People felt safely supported and there were secure relationships with staff who knew them well.

Consistent staff deployment was in place to meet people’s individual needs. Recruitment practices were robust to help ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Individual risk assessments were documented in care plans and people’s safety was considered well. Safety related training was completed, and staff were confident in their abilities to keep people safe. Medicines were managed safely overall. Infection prevention and control measures were in place and known by staff, people who used the service and their relatives. Clear information about COVID-19 was continuously shared and practice was in line with current guidance

Staff felt fully supported through supervision and training, which was relevant to the needs of people living in the home. Staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities and there was effective teamwork evident. People enjoyed their meals and their nutritional and hydration needs were well met.

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 very at home in the service and their dignity was promoted well. There was an exceptionally welcoming, friendly, homely atmosphere throughout the home. Staff in all roles were passionate about the people living at Sycamore Park and were highly committed to ensuring the best outcomes for individuals. Staff understood the unique and individual needs of the people they supported and treated them with the utmost respect. This mirrored the care and support given to the staff by the management team, who recognised the effects of valuing staff in order for them to deliver high quality care.

People were very happy being supported by staff who knew their likes and dislikes, as well as personalities. Records of people’s care and support were written in a person-centred way.

Consideration was given to how people could be best supported to undertake activities, in ways which were meaningful to them. The activity co-ordinator was enthusiastic and motivational, encouraging people and their families to join in with a range of activities. Families told us the service met the needs of their relatives.

There had been recent changes to the management of the home and there had been a temporary absence of a manager until the new registered manager came into post. Continuity of leadership had been maintained by the deputy manager and senior management. Staff spoke highly about the management team and said the changes had not impacted on the quality of care delivery.

Staff felt listened to, involved and valued. Families felt very informed and included, which was evidenced by their feedback and the high levels of communication throughout the service.

There was a clearly set out governance model. Quality checks were consistently carried out, and there was close oversight of the service. The values and vision of the service were known by staff and embedded in the service.

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

Rating at last inspection The last rating for the service under the previous provider was Good, published on 4 January 2019.

We had carried out a short inspection during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2021, which had given assurance about infection, prevention and control in the service. This inspection was not rated.

Why we inspected This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.