Archived: Shakespeare House Care Home

Updated 6 April 2017

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 07 March 2017. One inspector undertook this inspection.

Before the inspection we reviewed and checked the information that we held about the service and the service provider. This included the last inspection report and statutory notifications sent to us by the provider about incidents and events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send to us by law. We used all this information to decide which areas to focus on during our inspection.

During our inspection we observed how staff interacted with people. We looked at how people were supported in the communal areas of the home. We also looked at plans of care, risk assessments, incident records and medicines records for one person. We looked at training and recruitment records for the provider and one member of staff. We also looked at staffing rotas, minutes of meetings with people and staff, records of activities and records relating to the management of the service such as audits and policies and procedures.

We spoke with two of the people who used the service and the relative of one person to ask them their views of the service provided. We also spoke with the provider and one member of staff.

Updated 6 April 2017

Shakespeare House Care Home provides support and accommodation for three adults with mental health needs. Nursing Care is not provided. The premises are located close to the seafront and amenities of Littlehampton. Each person has their own bedroom and there is also a communal lounge/dining area for people to use. At the time of our visit there were three people living at the home.

The home was managed by the provider who is in day to day charge and worked alongside staff in order to provide care to people. The provider is a registered person and registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At our last inspection to the service in December 2015 we found two breaches of regulations. The provider had not ensured that the premises were safe to use for their intended purpose and in a safe way. Also service users were not always treated with dignity and respect and the provider did not always support their autonomy and independence. We asked the provider to take action and the provider sent us an action plan In February 2016 which told us what action they would be taking. At this inspection we found that improvements had been made and the regulations were now met.

People told us they felt safe with staff. There were policies and procedures regarding the safeguarding of adults and staff knew what action to take if they thought anyone was at risk of potential harm.

Potential risks to people had been identified and assessed appropriately. There were sufficient numbers of staff to support people and safe recruitment practices were followed. Medicines were managed safely.

Staff were provided with training and supervision which quipped them with the skills to look after people effectively. Peoples healthcare needs were met and people were supported to attend regular health screening and checks such as with their GP, the optician and dentist as well as with mental health services.

The CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. Three people living at the home were currently subject to DoLS. We found the provider understood when an application should be made and how to submit one. We found the provider was meeting the requirements of DoLS. People were generally able to make day to day decisions for themselves. The manager and staff were guided by the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) regarding best interests decisions should anyone be deemed to lack capacity.

People were supported to have sufficient to eat and drink and to maintain a healthy diet. People’s rooms were decorated in line with their personal preferences.

Staff knew people well and positive, caring relationships had been developed. People were encouraged to express their views and these were acted on appropriately. People were involved in decisions about their care as much as they were able. Their privacy and dignity were respected and promoted. Staff understood how to care for people in a sensitive way.

Care plans provided information about people in a person-centred way. People’s personal histories had been recorded and their preferences, likes and dislikes were documented so that staff knew how people wished to be supported. There was a variety of activities and outings on offer which people could choose to do. Complaints were dealt with in line with the provider’s complaints procedure.

Weekly and monthly checks were carried out to monitor the quality of the service provided. Feedback was sought on the quality of the service provided through survey questionnaires. The provider told us that she met with people on a one to one basis to discuss issues relating to the home. These meetings enabled the provider to monitor if people’s needs were being met.