Grovelands

Updated 21 December 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 checked 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 9 November 2017 and was unannounced. It was carried out by two adult social care 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.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at the information in the PIR and also looked at other information we held about the service before the inspection visit.

During the inspection we spoke with 25 people who lived at the home, three visitors, nine members of staff and one visiting professional. Some people were unable to fully share their views with us due to their dementia. We therefore spent time observing care and support provided in communal areas and spoke with staff supporting them. We also carried out a Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI) in one area. SOFI is a way of observing care to help us to understand the experience of people who could not talk to us.

The registered manager was available throughout the day of the inspection.

During the day we were able to view the premises and observe care practices and interactions in communal areas. We observed lunch being served. We looked at a selection of records which related to individual care and the running of the home. These included five care and support plans, medication administration records and records relating to the quality monitoring within the home

Updated 21 December 2017

Grovelands is a residential care home for up to 60 people. The home specialises in the care of older people, including people living with dementia. The home is divided into four areas, two areas provide specialist care for people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 60 people living at the home.

At the last inspection in October 2015 the service was rated Good. At this inspection the rating has improved to Outstanding.

Why the service is rated Outstanding

The registered manager led by example to make sure people were well cared for and had opportunities to express themselves and make choices about all aspects of their day to day lives. People were at the heart of everything that happened at the home and their views and suggestions were sought and acted upon.

People were valued and made to feel special by staff who went over and above their job roles to help people to realise their wishes.

People were treated as individuals and were supported to follow their interests and hobbies. Special trips and events were arranged for people to promote their well-being and enjoyment of life.

People were safe at the home because the provider had systems in place which minimised risks. People smiled when staff approached them and were happy to be helped. One person told us, “I like it because the staff are nice to you.” The provider learnt from incidents and accidents and took action to minimise further risks.

People were supported by staff who had the skills and experience to effectively meet their needs. Staff were well supported and received the training required to make sure they provided effective care and support. One person said about the staff, “They like what they do, they’re all well trained.”

People were supported to have a good diet which met their needs and wishes. One person told us, “As I’ve got older I’ve got fussier - but the cook is good to me, it’s better than my cooking and I don’t have to wash up.”

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

Staff were kind and compassionate which created a happy and relaxed atmosphere throughout the home. One person described how two members of staff had visited them when they were in hospital and said, “They made that effort to come in to see me - that’s kindness.”

Further information is in the detailed findings below