Brentwood Care Centre

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• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

Quality assurance processes in place were not always effective as shortfalls found were either not identified or not progressed in a timely way. During the assessments, we identified several concerns with the oversight of key areas of people's care. For example, lack of guidance in some areas of risk such as catheter care and diabetes management, poor recording of fluid, medicines required improvement, unsafe manual handing and infection control concerns. There had been no registered manager at the service since 20/02/2023 and whilst the interim manager planned to register with CQC their substantive role would be as a regional manager with the organisation. Recruitment for a new manager was in progress. The interim manager had only been at the service for a short while and with the help of the provider had started to improve the outcomes for both people and staff. The culture of the service had started to improve and feedback from staff was positive about the changes the interim manager had made.

This service scored 54 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Whilst staff told us they were positive about the direction the new management team was heading, they did tell us there had been a lot of previous changes in overall management at the service. The management turnover had been high historically, therefore management stability needs to be consistent moving forward. Staff told us the new management team communicated with them about the changes made. A senior staff member told us, “Staff were very wary initially however I feel they feel more confident in the new team and the home is definitely more stable than when I first started.”

There had not been a registered manager in post since February 2023, an interim manager was at the service, and recruitment for a new registered manager was in progress. The new nominated individual told us the interim manager will register at the service and remain in place to support a new registered manager when appointed. The interim manager had been recruited to a regional post and will oversee the provider’s three homes in Essex. They are hopeful this will provide the stability the home needs to improve and sustain systems and processes within the home.

Staff told us they could see the new management in place were making positive changes and they felt able to raise concerns or issues with them. A staff member told us, “I am supported by the [deputy and interim manager]. We have had a lot of changes as it has not been good in the past but since December it has much improved. I can approach any of the senior managers for anything.” Another staff member said, “Staff are adjusting to the new management team as they have not always had good leadership in the past, but I feel this is now changing and staff morale has improved.” A third staff member said, “Recently a lot has changed, they are improving the décor and bringing in knowledgeable staff.”

We did not look at Freedom to speak up during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Well-led.

We did not look at Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Well-led.

Whilst the new management team had started looking at all areas of the home and had made improvements, they were aware that improvements were still needed to systems and processes for governance. Checks and audits were in place but had not either identified or actioned improvements in a timely way. Concerns remain related to risk, monitoring records, medicines, infection control, and manual handling practices.

Staff told us the new senior team was starting to improve the quality of care for people. A staff member told us, “The new management team is brilliant. Now that we have [interim manager], you know where you stand. I feel the care home is well managed and has improved in recent months.” Although the workforce felt positive about the management team in place, more time is required to evidence that delivery, management and oversight of good quality care can be sustained.

We did not look at Partnerships and communities during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Well-led.