Archived: Sundial House

Updated 13 November 2019

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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was unannounced and carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. During the inspection, they were going through the registration process with the CQC and on the second day of our inspection their registration was confirmed. 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.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection, we looked at information we held about the service, including notifications they had made to us about important events. We asked the service to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection

We visited the care home on 9 and 16 October 2019 and we spoke with three people about their experience of the care provided to them. We received feedback from four relatives and a family friend. We talked to the registered manager and one staff member working for this service.

We also looked at a range of records that included five people’s care plans and three staff files in relation to their recruitment, training and supervision.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at data relating to staff training.

Updated 13 November 2019

About the service

Sundial House is a residential care home that provides accommodation and nursing or personal care for up to six people some of whom have learning disabilities and autism. At the time of this inspection, six people were receiving support from this service.

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 coordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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

Although quality assurance processes were in place, some of the audits carried out by the registered manager were not recorded appropriately. Staff required refresher training in mental health awareness and learning disabilities. Risk assessment processes needed reviewing to ensure a consistent approach in how the service assessed the level of risks to people. People had support to discuss their end of life wishes but their decisions were not reviewed regularly to ensure it remained the same. The registered manager told us they would address these concerns immediately.

Staff were aware of the actions they had to take should they noticed people being at risk to harm or when incidents and accidents took place. People told us there was enough staff to support them with activities of their choice. Staff undertook appropriate checks before they commenced employment with the provider. People were assisted to manage their medicines safely and independently where possible. Systems were in place to ensure hygienic care for people.

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 told us they got on well with each other and that they liked living at Sundial House. Staff assessed people’s desired outcomes helping them to achieve their full potential. People had access to healthcare professionals when they needed it. Staff prepared meals for people according to their choices and tastes.

People and their relatives had appreciated the staff team and described them as kind, caring and friendly. People were encouraged to make every day decisions that involved staff asking for their consent to care provision. Staff were respectful towards people’s privacy and dignity.

People’s care plans were person centred and individualised. Staff were flexible in the way they supported people to build on their strengths. We saw staff using people’s preferred communication methods. People felt confident to approach staff if they wanted to make changes to their care delivery.

Family members told us that their relatives were provided with good quality care at this service. Staff were aware of their role requirements which included effective communication and information sharing.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

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 this service was good (published 26 April 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.