Clarence House

Updated 3 August 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 Care Act 2014.

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 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Clarence House 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.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. 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.

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

Notice of inspection

This inspection was an announced inspection we gave the provider 24 hours notice to ensure the management team were available. The inspection activity started on11 July and ended on the 14 July 2023.

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 commissioners who work with the service. We also looked at information we had received and held on our system about the home, this included notifications sent to us by the provider and information passed to us by members of the public. The provider had previously completed the required Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about the service, what it does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 5 people who lived at Clarence House, a relative, 4 members of staff, the deputy manager and registered manager. We observed staff interaction with people, also, we reviewed a range of records. These included care records of people, medication records, and two staff files in relation to recruitment. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service. We had a walk around the premises and looked at infection control measures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at quality assurance systems the provider had in place and staff training records.

Updated 3 August 2023

About the service

Clarence House is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 20 People. The service provides support to people with varying needs, including some people living with early onset dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 15 people living in the home. The home had a large lounge with separate dining room, a conservatory and activity room which people could use. A laundry and kitchen were located on the ground floor and there was lift and stair access to the upper floors.

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

Staff kept the building clean and tidy and maintenance checks were in place and up to date. Staff were observed wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as stated by the latest available guidance. Recruitment procedures were in place and staff told us checks were done prior to them starting their employment. There were sufficient staff to care for people. One staff member said, “We all muck in and have enough of us around to support people.” Safeguarding training was mandatory, staff were aware of the processes to follow to enable people to be safe. Risks were assessed in detail and monitored to ensure individuals safety and promoted their independence within a risk framework. People received their medicines safely.

The registered manager had a training programme to support staff to improve their skills and knowledge. 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. The management team had systems to reduce the risk of malnutrition and monitor people’s food and drink intake to ensure people received appropriate care.

We observed staff spent time with people and comments found staff to be caring and treated people with respect and dignity. One person said, “They are all lovely people.”

Activities were varied and people had choices. A relative said, “There is always something going on in the afternoons.”, There was complaints process which people and relatives were aware of and they had information about the procedure to follow.

The management team had auditing systems to maintain ongoing oversight of the service and make improvements where necessary. Quality assurance processes ensured people were able to give their views of the service.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 24 October 2022 ).

The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service. We carried out an announced inspection of this service on 11July 2023.

We undertook this comprehensive inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report covers our findings in relation to the key questions, safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern.

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.