Signature at Banstead

Updated 14 March 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by three inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Signature at Banstead is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Signature at Banstead is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 8 people who used the service and 3 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also observed interactions between staff and a number of other people who used the service. We spoke with 17 members of staff including the manager, senior management team, senior care workers, care workers, chef, activities team. We also spoke with two health and social care professionals that work with the home.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 8 people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 4 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision and a variety of agency profiles. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 14 March 2023

About the service

Signature at Banstead is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 96 people. The service provides support to people over 65, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 68 people using the service. The care home accommodates people in one adapted building comprised of a residential setting and a wing on the ground floor for people living with dementia.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were included in the running of the home. There was a person-centred, positive, inclusive culture at the home that was promoted by staff and the registered manager. Relatives had been included and provided the opportunity to join as volunteers to be involved with other areas of the home and spend quality time with their loved ones. Audits were thorough and improvement was driven by the whole staffing team and the registered manager. Staff felt involved in the running of the home and were confident to put forward ideas to drive improvement.

People had access to a wide range of activities that had been designed to match people’s likes, dislikes and different preferences. People received personalised care from staff that knew them well.

People were supported by kind and caring staff that treated them with dignity and respect. People’s privacy was respected and people were encouraged to make decisions about their care. People had access to food and drinks when they needed them and staff were aware of people’s individual nutritional needs.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People’s risks were assessed and managed appropriately. People received support with their medicines by trained staff. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and safe recruitment practises had been followed. People were safe from the risk of infection due to the standard of cleanliness and hygiene in the home and staff knowledge in this area. Staff were working well with other professionals to effectively support people in a timely way.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 01 December 2021 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 23 August 2018.

Why we inspected

We inspected based on our information and scheduling in line with the period of time passed with a new provider registration.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.