Stratton House

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

People were supported by exceptionally kind and caring staff, and the service went above and beyond for people. In this key question we looked at the quality statements independence, choice and control, kindness, compassion and dignity, treating people as individuals and workforce well-being and enablement.

This service scored 95 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

People told us they were “very well cared for” and that “the small things get done”. Relatives echoed this. They told us: “The carers are exceptional, every part including the leadership. The care the residents have is very moving.” People’s care and support plans contained small details which promoted people’s dignity. For example, one person’s care plan stated: ‘[Person] would like staff to show her the daily menu so she can pick what she fancies. [Person] likes to eat all meals in the dining room where she can chat to the other residents, using mealtimes to socialize.’

Every interaction we saw during our site visit was kind and compassionate. We observed all staff including maintenance and domestic staff greeting people as they walked into any room with people in. We observed staff getting down to people's level to speak with them. We observed staff attending to people's needs with no hesitation.

People told us their care, support and treatment met their needs and preferences. One person told us that the chef speaks with people daily to ask about their choices of meal. They also told the Chaplin meets with people individually to have end of life conversations when people are ready and would like to do so. One person told us they liked to play a word game and that they play and compete with staff. We saw one person had given a compliment to the service, which stated: 'I just want to say I feel privileged to be living at Stratton House. They look after us so well, without losing our identity. The atmosphere is great, especially when Steve is on duty. I feel really safe here.”

People had clear information in their care and support plans about people's cultural, social and religious needs.

Staff took into account people's individual needs. For example, in a group activity we observed some people requiring some support to enable them to be engaged in the activity. We saw this support was provided in a respectful way.

Staff had a good understanding about peoples likes and preferences. Staff told us: “The Chaplin comes here and does a service in the lounge twice a week, people like this,” and: “One person has their own cat.” The manager told us; “Stratton House encourages the residents to be as independent as possible and empowers them to decorate the home, especially around certain celebrations.”

There was exceptional evidence of staff supporting people to be independent. We observed staff supporting and encouraging people to be engaged in activities to promote their wellbeing. We observed an arts and crafts display in the entrance of the home which we were later informed was an activity that was run by a person living at the service. We observed people being consistently offered choices throughout our visit, including the finer details, for example, we observed choices of sauce and different types of tea offered to people.

A suggestion box was in place for people, their relatives, and staff to use, which was checked by the manager each month. The manager told us they feedback about each suggestion and will use suggestions where they can. The service has introduced a community library or book exchange. We were told this is accessible to people, staff, and members of the local community to come and swap books with each other. There was outstanding evidence of people being supported to take control of their own lives. For example, people were supported to grow their own vegetables and herbs in a project called ‘Green Care’, which were to be used in the meals which were prepared. People were encouraged to take control of their environment by decorating and personalising it as they chose. People were encouraged to choose which activities were completed by the activity co-ordinator by completing questionnaires. People were provided with ‘welcome packs’ during their admission into the service which indicated a positive culture where people would be encouraged to make their own choices where appropriate. For example, ‘The chef meets with residents daily to ask their views on the food and drink service, you can also give feedback to the chef or manager at any time. The resident meetings are also an opportunity to share your views about meal times.’

People told us how staff promoted peoples independence in a respectful and dignified way. One person told us: "[Staff] watch and see and they know when to intervene . They let people have independence. I love the way the people are treated. It saved my life really."

Staff told us people are encouraged to be independent where possible. Staff told us: “People have pendants to help them go out in the garden independently”, and: “I encourage people to do as much as they can for themselves”.

We saw staff being responsive to people's needs. For example, we observed staff supporting people with their glasses, responding to call bells in a timely manner, and offering to help people cut up their dinner.

The manager promoted the wellbeing of staff. The manager told us: “We have ‘wellness action plan’ to support staff to take control of their wellbeing, including signposting to relevant agencies, how to support well-being at work, offering clear objectives which are shaped around the [provider] values. Also, we have re-decorated the staff room and included a microwave, coffee machine, fridge freezer, staff compliments board and a colouring book for staff.” Staff told us: “I love coming to work every day. It’s a lovely group, the residents are lovely - a big family. We all help each other out or if we are having a tough day swap out'.

Staff’s success both within the organisation and externally were celebrated. The manager told us the provider held an internal awards ceremony each year to recognise and celebrate the achievements of all its staff throughout the organisation. Staff’s external successes were also celebrated, for example, one staff who had recently graduated shared their graduation ceremony with people living at Stratton House, and came in to the service wearing their graduation robe.