Ashton Manor

Updated 25 January 2020

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Ashton Manor is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had two managers registered with the CQC. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We reviewed information we held about the service including statutory notifications which providers are required to inform the CQC of, such as accident or incidents that have happened at the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with eight people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, care, domestic and activities staff and the chef. We also spoke with three visiting healthcare professionals who regularly visit the service. We reviewed three people’s full care records and a range of care records for other people accessing the service. We reviewed multiple medication records and observed people’s and staff engagement in communal areas of the home. We looked at a range of staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We sought feedback from the local authority, two social care professionals and one relative.

Updated 25 January 2020

About the service

Ashton Manor is a residential care home which can provide personal care and accommodation to up to 22 people who have a range of needs including mental health condition, older people and people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 22 people living at the home in one adapted building and the accommodation was set across three floors and access to a lift and a range of communal areas including a dining room, lounge area, and enclosed garden. The home is situated in Bognor Regis and was in close proximity to local amenities and shops which people could easily access.

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

People received an exceptionally high standard of care, from a dedicated, skilled and passionate staff team. People spoke highly of their relationships with staff and the support they received. People’s strengths and abilities were recognised and valued, and staff went to great lengths to ensure people had a sense of purpose and belonging.

People received safe care and treatment. There were clear systems in place to keep people safe from harm, and staff understood their role and responsibilities when concerns arose. Risks to people were identified and measures were put in place to reduce risks to people. People were supported to receive their medicines as prescribed. The provider ensured the environment was maintained and fit for purpose.

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 enjoyed the food provided and were give choices to meet their preferences. Staff told us they felt supported in their role and received training to maintain their skills and knowledge. Professionals told us people were supported to maintain their health and wellbeing and staff worked well with others involved in meetings people’s needs.

People had opportunities to engage in a range of activities both inside and outside of the home. People had access to a minibus to access the local and wider community and people could join in with a range of planned events and outings. People told us they knew who they could speak to if they were concerned and that they would be listened to.

The service was well-led, and the registered manager and provider were committed to ensuring people received high quality care. The registered manager and staff worked well as a team to the benefit of people living in the home. The registered manager completed a range of audits to continually review and improve the experience of care people received.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 26 November 2018). Since this rating was awarded the provider has altered its legal entity. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection. This service was registered with us on 06/12/2018 and this was the first inspection to award a rating of this service following the change to the provider’s legal entity.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the provider’s new registration date.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.