The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Sarsen House

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

West Overton, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 4ER (01672) 861139

Provided and run by:
Mrs C Howie & Mr M Howie

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

23 and 26 October 2015

During a routine inspection

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 inspection took place on 23 and 26 October 2015 and was unannounced. The inspection was completed by one inspector.

Before the inspection, we reviewed information we hold about the service, including previous inspection reports and notifications sent to us by the provider. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to send to us.

During the visit we spoke with two people who live at Sarsens House. We also observed the care and support people received as not everyone was able to verbalise their opinion of the service. We spoke with the registered manager, team leader and a care worker. We also contacted health and social care professionals to find out their views of the service provided.

We spent time observing the way staff interacted with people who use the service and looked at the records relating to support and decision making for two people. We also looked at records about the management of the service.

26 November 2013

During a routine inspection

When we visited Sarsen House there were six people living in the home. We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people using the service, because the people using the service had complex needs which meant they were not able to tell us about their experiences. We observed staff supporting people, had brief conversations with people using the service, and read the supporting documentation.

Care was observed that was person centred, effective, caring responsive and compassionate, and this was supported in the care plans which we read for three people in the home. Staff demonstrated their understanding of the need to obtain consent from people before attempting any care interventions.

The home was clean and tidy at the time of our visit, and checking systems were in place to monitor that required tasks were completed as expected.

Staff were provided with appropriate induction and training to support them to carry out their duties effectively, and the provider had systems in place to monitor the effectiveness of the service and to make improvements in response if required.

The running of the home was clearly structured around the people it supported, and people and staff sat together at lunch time, with staff supporting people to eat and drink safely.

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7 December 2012

During a routine inspection

When we visited Sarsen House, the service was supporting five people who had a learning disability. Some of the five people also had a physical impairment. Two people were able to answer questions for us. They told us they were happy living at the home and staff were kind to them. One person told us they particularly liked going for regular walks with staff. Another person was helping staff prepare lunch and then being supported with writing Christmas cards.

We were not able to communicate effectively with the other three people so we observed staff supporting them. We saw they were treated with warmth and affection. People had personalised bedrooms and had been involved where they were able in how they were decorated. We saw the running of the home was structured around the people being supported. People and staff all sat together for lunch and staff supported people who needed help to eat and drink safely.

We saw people were either directly involved in making their own choices, or staff used their knowledge and experience of people to act in their best interests. Care plans clearly described the person being supported, and said how to support them. There were effective procedures for recruiting staff who were fit, appropriately qualified and physically and mentally able to do the job.

The premises were safe and effectively managed. There were good records kept about running the service, including personnel records and all maintenance files.

25 October 2011

During a routine inspection

Due to some people not being able to communicate verbally, we were not able to obtain the views of everyone living at the home. However, we were able to observe staff interaction, people's body language and facial expressions. People who were able to speak with us said they were happy with the care provided at Sarsen House. They said they were involved in day to day decision making.

We spoke on the telephone to relatives and healthcare professionals. We received positive comments about the service provided. One healthcare professional said 'the provider and the team advocate well for people'.

We observed that people were relaxed and comfortable within the home. The service was homely, well maintained, and clean and tidy throughout.

People said the staff were competent and knowledgeable. One person commented 'I get on alright with the staff'. Staff confirmed that they received appropriate training and felt qualified to carry out their duties.

Systems were in place for monitoring health and safety and the quality of the service. People using the service, their representatives and external agencies were able to share their views with the home.