Larkswood

On this page

• 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

The manager was not yet registered with CQC, however the manager had been in place for several years and knew people and the home well. Staff told us the manager was supportive and the manager said they were always happy to speak to staff either at regular staff meetings or in the office. Audit results did not always lead to actions, and the medicines audits, being a succession of check boxes, was prone to be filled in incorrectly with no follow up. The manager used meetings and surveys to discover if people and their families were happy with the care they received, and she used external management groups to share innovative ideas of care.

This service scored 64 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

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

Staff told us they felt well supported in their roles by the manager. A staff member told us ““I would recommend this home as a place to work and would have no problem with having a relative here. The best thing is the people living here, they are a good bunch.”

The manager of Larkswood was not registered with CQC at the time of the assessment. The registration process was started in 2023 but some missing information had led to a delay.

Staff understood the whistle blowing policy and the manager told us they were happy to hear from staff about any concerns they had. Staff told us staff meetings were held, they said “They give you a change to speak up, things to be changed.”

The provider used staff surveys to get feedback from staff. A staff member told us “We are asked questions about how you feel, do you feel supported, is there anything you want to tell us?” We saw the provider’s whistleblowing policy. The policy reminded staff the service was committed to the highest standard of openness, integrity and accountability and to the continuous improvement in the way they supported people and their family, and staff.

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.

Staff had clear roles and responsibilities. The manager used one to one meetings and supervisions with staff to ensure oversight of safe care. Staff were able to care for people with an understanding of risk. A staff member who had worked at the home for twenty years told us “We work as a team. When you know someone for so long, they’re like family. I always feel free to go to the manager and she will listen. Also the owner, she will always listen.”

There were audits in place at the home and we saw evidence that medicines audits were completed. However there was no indication that actions were taken after the audits and this is an area for improvement. Some medicines audits had recognised the need to record opening dates and expiry dates for certain medicines. For example the audit in December 2023. However on our visit we found medicines lacking expiry dates or not having an opening date recorded. The audit did not show any actions taken to ensure this did not happen in future. The manager told us the previous manager carried out numerous audits these had been streamlined so the audits were now relevant, with clear purpose. There were monthly audits for care plans, incidents and accidents, complaints and how they were resolved, infection control, meal audits, including watching meal times and checking on people during those meal times. There were also audits for nutrition and hydration, and falls audits.

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.

Staff and the manager we quick to respond to people and to change things to ensure people lived how they wished at the home. Staff said they felt well supported by the manager and told us things were changed if they asked. A staff member said “They give you a chance to speak up, things to be changed.” The manager told us she was a member of West Sussex Partners in Care, which has a website and weekly newsletter to support care providers, it shares training resources, innovation and best practice.

Staff surveys were carried out and the manager had supervisions with staff to ensure two way communication to share best practice. There were regular staff meetings and people were included in residents meetings where they were asked about their satisfaction in the home and any changes they would like.