Dove Court Care Home

Updated 13 March 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 4 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 13 March 2021

About the service:

Dove Court Care Home is a residential care home that was providing personal care to 27 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection.

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

Dove Court Care Home accommodates up to 32 people in one building.

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

People’s experience of using this service:

Relatives we spoke with couldn’t praise the kindness of staff highly enough. They consistently told us the care staff provided was outstanding and they felt staff were ‘family’. The registered manager provided numerous examples of times when staff had gone above and beyond, including the support staff provided to one person with an item that provided them great comfort.

Staff promoted people’s dignity and privacy. Staff provided person-centred support by listening to people and engaging them at every opportunity.

People were encouraged to socialise, pursue their interests and hobbies and try new things in a wide variety of inspiring and innovative ways. There was a focus on wellbeing and having a sense of purpose. All staff involved ensured people had access to as many opportunities as possible to aid their physical and mental health well-being. Activities formed an extremely important part of people’s lives and had a positive impact on their wellbeing. Arrangements for work, are innovative, meet people’s individual needs, and follow best practice guidance so people can live as full a life as possible.

The registered manager led by example to ensure the culture of the service drove and improved high-quality, person centred care. They valued their staff and recognised the importance of their professional development.

The service’s vision and values centred around the people they supported. The organisation’s statement of purpose documented a philosophy of maximising people’s life choices, encouraging independence, inclusion and people having a sense of worth and value. Staff expressed a passion for providing high quality care. Our inspection found that the organisation’s philosophy was definitely embedded in Dove Court Care Home.

Relatives’ views were sought, and opportunities taken to improve the service. Staff were supervised, supported and clear about what was expected of them. Audits and checks were carried out, so any problem could be identified and rectified.

Recruitment, staffing, medicine management, infection control and upkeep of the premises protected people from unsafe situations and harm.

Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from abuse and discrimination. They knew to report any concerns and ensure action was taken. The registered manager worked with the local authority safeguarding adults’ team to protect people.

Staff were trained and supported to be skilled and efficient in their roles. They were very happy about the level of training and support they received and showed competence when supporting people.

The premises provided people with a variety of spaces for their use with relevant facilities to meet their needs. Bedrooms were very individual and age and gender appropriate.

Support plans were reviewed with the person when possible, staff who supported the person and family members. Staff looked to identify best practice and used this to people’s benefit. Staff worked with and took advice from health care professionals. People’s health care needs were met.

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.

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection the service was rated Outstanding; the last report was published on 10 September 2016. At this inspection, the overall rating has remained Outstanding.

Why we inspected:

This was a scheduled comprehensive inspection.