A Kingston upon Thames care home has been rated Outstanding overall by the Care Quality Commission.
Sherwood Grange, in Robin Hood Lane, has been rated Outstanding for being responsive and well-led. It was rated Good for being safe, effective and caring, following an inspection in September 2019.
Run by Care UK Community Partnerships Ltd, the home can support up to 59 older people and at the time of CQC’s inspection, 56 people were in residence.
The organisation’s vision and values were clearly set out and understood by staff. They were explained during induction training and revisited at staff meetings.
The home was part of the organisation’s ‘Good to Great’ project. It had a ‘Good to Great’ coach who provided advice and support to take the next steps towards a further improved rating. This was demonstrated in areas such as activities, where a greater variety and choice was provided based on people’s wishes.
The home had close links with services, such as speech and language therapists, GP and other healthcare professionals. This was underpinned by a policy of relevant information being shared with appropriate services within the community or elsewhere.
The home liaised and worked with community organisations such as local schools, with visits by pupils to Sherwood Grange and vice versa. Events with schools have included National Poetry Day, a world war two presentation, learning about the great fire of London and a rock cake bake off. These activities took place with children of all different ages. People were also invited to attend a junior school's assemblies. There were also visits by the local Women's Institute.
The home embraced technology to engage people through virtual reality. This gave them the opportunity to visit places such as Sydney Harbour Bridge. Equally, it was used to prompt memories of places people had visited.
The registered manager conducted a series of spot checks on night staff, looking at fire safety, positioning and staffing. There was a daily heads of department meeting where risks, concerns, upcoming events and good practice were shared and then cascaded down to staff.
People were provided with individual and group activities, signing up to the National Activity Provider Association (NAPA) and Skills for Care to enlarge the scope and type of activities provided.
During CQC’s visit, well attended art and exercise to music classes took place. The exercise class was a vibrant and inclusive event with everyone joining in and thoroughly enjoying themselves, including people with varying types and levels of dementia. The exercises involved seated physical activities and were designed for motivation, reablement, independence and well-being. The type of music played was responsive to what people wanted and ranged across the spectrum. Lady Gaga went down particularly well. One person commented: "Nobody is ever left out."
People with dementia also attended 'In Minds' sessions facilitated by the Royal Academy of Art and run by artists that successfully focused on art as a tool to boost well-being, happiness and engagement of people with dementia. One person said: "The activities spark interests in residents. For me it is the Royal Portrait Gallery."
There was a club that regularly visited local pubs and had meals out. One person commented: "It gives me a feel of independence."
Home based activities included, word games, documentaries, sherry social, and outside entertainers, including very popular monthly opera events. Some people liked one singer so much that they go to venues in London to watch them there as well. There were also visits to the poppy factory. One person said: "I have company here, I'm really happy."
People with dementia also did an exchange visit to Broadwater Lodge, the first care home in England with a farm. People enjoyed the animals and the Lodge’s own pub.
People and staff felt safe living and working at the home. People were able to live safely by having risks to them assessed and this enabled them to take acceptable risks and enjoy their lives. Accidents and incidents were reported, investigated and recorded including safeguarding concerns. There were suitable numbers of appropriately recruited staff. Medicines were safely stored and administered.
Alison Murray, Head of Adult Social Care Inspection in London, said: “At the last inspection in 2017 CQC rated Sherwood Grange Good overall. It is very pleasing to see the home has continued to improve and can now boast an Outstanding rating.
“I was particularly impressed with the wide range of activities available to people at Sherwood Grange, and I congratulate the leadership team and all the staff that have worked hard to achieve continued advancement.”
You can read the inspection report in full when it appears on the CQC website by clicking on www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-2857843249
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