Charlotte Grange Care Home

Updated 20 May 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.

Inspection team

The inspection team was made up of 1 inspector 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

Charlotte Grange is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Charlotte Grange 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 provider registered the location with us. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 6 people and 4 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 10 members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, a senior care worker, the activities co-ordinator, kitchen staff, care staff and the administrator. We also received feedback from 2 other staff members. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed documentation, inspected the safety of the premises and carried out observations in communal areas. We reviewed a range of records including 4 people’s care records, medicines records and quality audits. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also reviewed.

Updated 20 May 2023

About the service

Charlotte Grange Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 46 people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 45 people living in the home.

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

People felt safe living in the home and with the support they received from staff. People, relatives and health professionals spoke positively about the staff and described them as very kind and caring. Comments included, “I’m comfortable and safe” and, “[Family member] is happy here, she says she would recommend it.”

Staff safeguarded people from abuse. Risks to individuals and the environment were well managed. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. The provider learned from accidents and incidents to mitigate future risks. Medicines were safely managed. Infection control processes were embedded into the service and staff followed government guidance in relation to infection control and prevention practices. People told us, “They clean my room regularly” and, “Oh yes (clean). They are very good, every day I go into the lounge, it’s spotless.”

People’s needs were assessed before they moved into the home and on an ongoing basis. Staff were suitably trained and received regular supervisions. People were supported with their nutritional needs and to access a range of health care professionals. 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.

People were well supported and cared for. Staff treated people with respect and supported them in a dignified manner and in line with their wishes. People were supported to follow their chosen faith. A person told us, “I had communion here yesterday. The priest comes from St Josephs.”

People received person-centred care and care plans detailed how they wished to be supported. Staff knew how to effectively communicate with people and communication methods were detailed in care records. People and relatives knew how to raise concerns and any complaints received were fully investigated and actioned. People enjoyed a wide range of activities inside the home and accessed the local community.

The home was well managed. People and relatives were complimentary about the home, staff and care people received. The provider had an effective quality assurance process in place which included regular audits. People, relatives and staff were regularly consulted about the quality of the service through regular communication, surveys, meetings and reviews. The provider worked collaboratively with the assigned GP practice. A health professional who visits the home weekly to check on people said, “Charlotte Grange is a very engaging home. They have embraced this process from day one. The care plans and staff are really good and I have a good relationship with the staff and manager.”

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 12 October 2021 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 26 January 2019.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection to formally rate the service.

Follow up

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