Inspection on 27/11/08 for Sovereign Court

This inspection was carried out on 27th November 2008.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Good service.

The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

Other inspections for this house

Sovereign Court 01/10/09

Sovereign Court 07/12/06

Sovereign Court 31/01/06

Sovereign Court 05/10/05

Sovereign Court 02/02/05

Sovereign Court 18/08/04

Sovereign Court 15/03/04

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 17/02/2009.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: Sovereign Court Newbiggin Lane Westerhope Newcastle Upon Tyne Tyne & Wear NE5 1NA     The quality rating for this care home is:   two star good service A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. Lead inspector: Anne Brown     Date: 2 7 1 1 2 0 0 8 This is a report of an inspection where we looked at how well this care home is meeting the needs of people who use it. There is a summary of what we think this service does well, what they have improved on and, where it applies, what they need to do better. We use the national minimum standards to describe the outcomes that people should experience. National minimum standards are written by the Department of Health for each type of care service. After the summary there is more detail about our findings. The following table explains what you will see under each outcome area. Outcome area (for example Choice of home) These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. the things that people have said are important to them: They reflect This box tells you the outcomes that we will always inspect against when we do a key inspection. This box tells you any additional outcomes that we may inspect against when we do a key inspection. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: This box tells you our opinion of what we have looked at in this outcome area. We will say whether it is excellent, good, adequate or poor. Evidence: This box describes the information we used to come to our judgement. Copies of the National Minimum Standards – Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or bought from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to: · · · · Put the people who use social care first Improve services and stamp out bad practice Be an expert voice on social care Practise what we preach in our own organisation Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 29 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2008) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. www.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 29 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Sovereign Court Newbiggin Lane Westerhope Newcastle Upon Tyne Tyne & Wear NE5 1NA 01912716151 01912716151 noemail Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs Jennifer Houghton Type of registration: Number of places registered: care home 12 Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia Additional conditions: The Home may continue to accommodate one named person over the age of 65 years in the category of mental disorder MD(E) The home may not admit any person under the age of 40, or over the age of 65, without the prior agreement of the CSCI. The home may not take any emergency admissions without the agreement of the CSCI. Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home This is a purpose-built care home that opened for persons with acquired brain injury and Huntingtons syndrome, aged between 40 and 65 years. It is a single storey building, with twelve single bedrooms, all ensuite, lounge, smoking lounge and dining room. It is situated on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne, on a bus route, and fairly Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 29 Over 65 0 12 Brief description of the care home close to local shops. The statement of purpose and service user guide is being updated and the recent inspection report was available at the front entrance. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 29 Summary This is an overview of what we found during the inspection. The quality rating for this care home is: Our judgement for each outcome: two star good service Choice of home Individual needs and choices Lifestyle Personal and healthcare support Concerns, complaints and protection Environment Staffing Conduct and management of the home peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: The quality rating for this service is 2 star. This means that the people who use this service experience good quality outcomes. We have reviewed our practice when making requirements, to improve national consistency. Some requirements from previous inspection reports may have been deleted or carried forward into this report as recommendations, but only when it is considered that people who use services are not being put at significant risk of harm. In future, if a requirement is repeated, it is likely that enforcement action will be taken. How the inspection was carried out. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 29 Before the visit We looked at Information we have received since the last inspection on 7th December 2006. How the service dealt with any complaints and concerns since the last visit. Any changes to how the home is run. The providers view of how well they care for people. The views of people who use the service and their relatives. Surveys were sent to ten people using the service, ten members of staff and two health care professionals. Four were returned by people using the service, seven from members of staff and two from health care professionals. An unannounced visit was made on 27th November 2008. During the visit we Talked with people who use the service, staff and the manager. Looked at information about the people who use the service and how well their needs are met. Looked at other records that must be kept. Checked that staff had the knowledge, skills and training to meet the needs of the people they care for. Looked around the building to make sure it was clean, safe and comfortable. Checked what improvements had been made since the last inspection. We told the manager what we found. The basic fee for the service is four hundred and sixty seven pounds and fifty pence per week. What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? The majority of the staff team have either completed or are undergoing training to achieve a National Vocational Award, Level 2 or above. The home are now encouraging people to take more calculated risks to enable them to Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 29 lead fulfilling lives outside the home. Fire detection and fire fighting equipment is tested at regular intervals. What they could do better: If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 4. The report of this inspection is available from our website www.csci.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning our order line –0870 240 7535. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 9 of 29 Details of our findings Contents Choice of home (standards 1 - 5) Individual needs and choices (standards 6-10) Lifestyle (standards 11 - 17) Personal and healthcare support (standards 18 - 21) Concerns, complaints and protection (standards 22 - 23) Environment (standards 24 - 30) Staffing (standards 31 - 36) Conduct and management of the home (standards 37 - 43) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 29 Choice of home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People are confident that the care home can support them. This is because there is an accurate assessment of their needs that they, or people close to them, have been involved in. This tells the home all about them, what they hope for and want to achieve, and the support they need. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, and people close to them, can visit the home and get full, clear, accurate and up to date information. If they decide to stay in the home they know about their rights and responsibilities because there is an easy to understand contract or statement of terms and conditions between the person and the care home that includes how much they will pay and what the home provides for the money. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Full assessments are carried out prior to admission to help ensure the home can meet individual needs. Evidence: Assessments are carried out by health care professionals, care managers and senior staff in the home. These provide good information to help the staff meet everyones individual needs. Copies of the assessments were available on the case files and are reviewed at regular intervals. Comments include My wife was placed here after consultation with me. I visited four homes first with a social worker before making up my mind. This one was by far the best. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 29 Evidence: Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 12 of 29 Individual needs and choices These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People’s needs and goals are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. People are able to make decisions about their life, including their finances, with support if they need it. This is because the staff promote their rights and choices. People are supported to take risks to enable them to stay independent. This is because the staff have appropriate information on which to base decisions. People are asked about, and are involved in, all aspects of life in the home. This is because the manager and staff offer them opportunities to participate in the day to day running of the home and enable them to influence key decisions. People are confident that the home handles information about them appropriately. This is because the home has clear policies and procedures that staff follow. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. There are good arrangements in place to consult people living in the home and to support them to lead fulfilling lifestyles. Evidence: Four care plans were examined. They contained detailed information on how care should be delivered to each person and how their needs should be met. Evaluations are carried out on a monthly basis. Information from one evaluation had not been carried forward into the care plan. People living in the home are consulted individually about all aspects of life in the home. Two relatives meeting had been arranged but no one had turned up. Another meeting is arranged early next year. People living in the home confirmed that they make decisions and are offered choices. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 13 of 29 Evidence: One relative stated X cannot make decisions. The staff get in touch with me if there are any. Other comments included The individuals wishes are always respected by all staff members. Their privacy and dignity is of paramount importance to Sovereign Court. Sovereign Court staff set out to provide individual care plans and take into account the wishes and aspirations of service users in their care. Each service user - regardless of difference are treated with respect and are offered individual care plans. The manager works hard to ensure people can lead fulfilling lifestyles and encourages staff to assist and support people to take calculated risks. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 14 of 29 Lifestyle These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: Each person is treated as an individual and the care home is responsive to his or her race, culture, religion, age, disability, gender and sexual orientation. They can take part in activities that are appropriate to their age and culture and are part of their local community. The care home supports people to follow personal interests and activities. People are able to keep in touch with family, friends and representatives and the home supports them to have appropriate personal, family and sexual relationships. People are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. Their dignity and rights are respected in their daily life. People have healthy, well-presented meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. People have opportunities to develop their social, emotional, communication and independent living skills. This is because the staff support their personal development. People choose and participate in suitable leisure activities. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People living in the home have good opportunities for personal development, and are able to take part in social and leisure activities. Evidence: Each person chooses how they spend their time and what activities they wish to participate in. Some people are able to go out alone, usually to the local pub and shopping centre. Others said they asked the staff to escort them to places of their choice. Activities outside the home include theatre trips, concerts, meals out, visiting the pub, shopping etc. One person goes paragliding. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 15 of 29 Evidence: People living in the home are encouraged to become involved in household tasks and maintain their independence. Friends and family are encouraged to visit at any time. One person confirmed that they could receive their visitors in private if they wished. People living in the home are also supported to visit their relatives in the community. The people living in the home said they are regularly consulted with regard to the menus and choice is always available. Meals are provided by Sovereign Lodge, another home on the same complex. The manager and staff said they regularly met with the cook to give feedback and new ideas. Meals are transported in an insulated trolley but the staff on duty said they often needed to reheat them. The home has a domestic kitchen where light meals and snacks can be prepared. Menus are displayed in the dining room and people are asked to make their choice for the following day. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 16 of 29 Personal and healthcare support These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People receive personal support from staff in the way they prefer and want. Their physical and emotional health needs are met because the home has procedures in place that staff follow. If people take medicine, they manage it themselves if they can. If they cannot manage their medicine, the care home supports them with it in a safe way. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them to feel comfortable and secure. They, and people close to them, are reassured that their death will be handled with sensitivity, dignity and respect, and take account of their spiritual and cultural wishes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People receive personal support in a way they prefer and require to ensure their physical and emotional health needs are met. Evidence: People living in the home are given personal support in a way that protects their dignity and encourages independence. The staff support people to access health care services in the community and these appointments and other information is recorded. The staff team are trained to meet the specialist needs of the people living in the home. A survey returned by a professional said If service users require specialist involvement from GP, consultant or A and E they act promptly to ensure they receive the help they need. Preventative health care is also supported with attendance at well woman and well man clinics. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 17 of 29 Evidence: The system for storing and administering medications was examined and was found to be appropriate. The manager confirmed all staff who administer medications have received appropriate training. People are encouraged to retain their own medications if they are assessed as being capable. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 18 of 29 Concerns, complaints and protection These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: If people have concerns with their care, they or people close to them, know how to complain. Their concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse, neglect and self-harm and takes action to follow up any allegations. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. There are good systems in place to protect people from abuse to to help ensure their views are listened to. Evidence: A complaints procedure is in place and all complaints are recorded along with their outcome. One complaint had been received and satisfactorily resolved since the last inspection. The surveys confirmed that people knew who to speak to if they were unhappy. The manager confirmed that staff would also assist people to make a complaint. Comments include Always someone there to speak to. Staff are supportive when difficulties arise and will endeavour to resolve any concerns. If the concerns cannot be resolved in-house they are happy to invite other professionals to advocate on the service users behalf. The husband of one person living in the home said he was always consulted about any problems that arose. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 19 of 29 Evidence: Staff have undergone training on safeguarding vulnerable adults and were aware of the procedure to follow if any bad practice was observed. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 20 of 29 Environment These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People stay in a safe and well-maintained home that is homely, clean, comfortable, pleasant and hygienic. People stay in a home that has enough space and facilities for them to lead the life they choose and to meet their needs. The home makes sure they have the right specialist equipment that encourages and promotes their independence. Their room feels like their own, it is comfortable and they feel safe when they use it. People have enough privacy when using toilets and bathrooms. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The home is well maintained and comfortable providing people with a pleasant place to live. Evidence: All areas of the home were comfortable and well maintained providing people with a pleasant place to live. Bedrooms were individualised with peoples own possessions, i.e. ornaments, pictures etc. There is a comfortable lounge and dining room for people to use. There is a domestic style kitchen where light meals and snacks can be prepared. At present the home does not have a tumble dryer and staff are finding it difficult having to dry the laundry in Sovereign Lodge. The Area Manager who was visiting the home confirmed that a tumble dryer had been ordered. All areas of the home were clean and free from offensive odours. The majority of staff have completed infection control training. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 21 of 29 Evidence: Comments include Everything is very clean. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 22 of 29 Staffing These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have safe and appropriate support as there are enough competent, qualified staff on duty at all times. They have confidence in the staff at the home because checks have been done to make sure that they are suitable. People’s needs are met and they are supported because staff get the right training, supervision and support they need from their managers. People are supported by an effective staff team who understand and do what is expected of them. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The individual and joint needs of the people living in the home are well met by appropriately trained staff team. Evidence: A sample of staff files were examined and contained appropriate checks to help ensure people living in the home are protected from abuse. The staff receive mandatory health and safety training and there is a programme in place to ensure this is kept up to date. Specialist training is also provided to meet individual needs. This includes epilepsy, dementia, Huntingtons Disease and challenging behaviours. They have lots of experience in working with people with acquired brain injuries and neurological conditions. Regular staff meetings are held and minuted to discuss any issues in the home. Regular supervision sessions take place and the notes are up to date. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 23 of 29 Evidence: Comments include The staff are extremely good at Sovereign Court and are trained to a high standard. Many of the staff members have worked at Sovereign Court for a long time and have a wealth of expertise. Y is always well looked after. I am treated very well and X loves all the staff she is very popular with everyone. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 24 of 29 Conduct and management of the home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have confidence in the care home because it is run and managed appropriately. People’s opinions are central to how the home develops and reviews their practice, as the home has appropriate ways of making sure they continue to get things right. The environment is safe for people and staff because health and safety practices are carried out. People get the right support from the care home because the manager runs it appropriately, with an open approach that makes them feel valued and respected. They are safeguarded because the home follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and makes sure staff understand the way things should be done. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. There are appropriate systems in place to help protect the health and safety of the people living in the home and to ensure their views are taken into consideration. Evidence: The manager is qualified and experienced. He has applied to become registered with the Commission. Good relationships were observed between the people using the service, the staff and the manager. One member of staff said the manager is approachable and will listen to any suggestions people may have. Regular meetings have been held for staff and relatives. The manager and staff try hard to ensure the home is run in the best interests of the people living there and consult with them to find out their opinions and views of the service they receive. Surveys are issued on a regular basis and the responses to these were very positive. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 25 of 29 Evidence: All staff receive up to date health and safety training. No unsafe practices were observed. Accidents are recorded appropriately and analysed on a monthly basis and risk assessments put into place. Fire fighting and detection equipment are checked at appropriate intervals and a fire risk assessment is in place. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 26 of 29 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R Outstanding statutory requirements These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 27 of 29 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection: Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service. No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations 1 17 The registered person should ensure that all meals delivered to the home are hot and do not need to be reheated. This will reduce food hygiene risks. The Registered Person should ensure a tumble dryer is provided in the home as soon as possible to provide the people living in the home and the staff with suitable drying facilities. 2 29 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 28 of 29 Helpline: Telephone: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone: 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2008) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 29 of 29 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!