Background to this inspection
Updated
31 May 2022
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.
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
This inspection was carried out by two inspectors on site. One of these inspectors made calls after the site visit to relatives of people using the service, to gain their opinions of the care provided to their family members.
Service and service type
Sunlight Care is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Sunlight Care is a care home with nursing care. 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 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 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 last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority, Clinical Commissioning Group and professionals who work with the service. we contacted Healthwatch for information they held about the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. 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
On 13 April 2022 we communicated with five people who lived at Sunlight about their experience of the care provided. Some people who used the service who were unable to talk with us used different ways of communicating including using pictures, symbols, and their body language.
On 13 April 2022 we spoke with seven members of staff, the registered manager, the clinical lead, a nurse, three care staff and a member of the domestic staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included five people's care records and various medication records. We reviewed four staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We spoke with two people's relatives to seek their views on the quality and safety of the service their family members received. We spoke with one member of night staff. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
31 May 2022
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
About the service
Sunlight Care is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to a maximum of 14 people. The service provides accommodation and support to people living with learning or physical disabilities and Autism. At the time of our inspection there were 10 people using the service.
Sunlight Care is set out over two floors, with access via a lift for people who reside on the first floor. The service is set in a residential area of Nottingham, with a small accessible garden area to the rear. The home has full access for wheelchair users and has recently completed a refurbishment programme to enhance the environment.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Whilst the size of the service is larger than best practice guidance would recommend for people with learning disabilities, the service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
Right support
Staff supported people to have the maximum possible choice, control and independence over their own lives. Staff understood people's strengths and promoted what they could do, so people experienced fulfilling everyday lives. People were provided with a safe, clean, well equipped, and well-maintained environment that met their sensory and physical needs. People were involved in personalising their rooms in the service and benefitted from the enhancement of their environment.
Staff supported people with their medicines in a safe way that promoted their independence and achieved the best possible health outcome. Staff ensured people had full access to health and social care to maintain their health and wellbeing.
Right Care
People received compassionate care from kind staff who understood and responded to their individual needs. Staff were respectful of people's privacy and dignity.
Staff understood how to protect people from potential abuse. The service worked well with other agencies to do so. Staff were trained in how to recognise and report abuse and understood their responsibility to do so. The service had a consistent skilled staff team, who met people's needs and kept them safe. Staff understood people’s individual communication needs, so people received consistent care.
Right Culture
People led inclusive lives because of the organisational values and staff qualities. People received quality care and support because sufficient numbers of skilled staff understood their specific needs. The service had enough staff, including one-to-one support for people to participate in activities and visits as part of their planned care.
People were supported by a staff team who understood the needs a person living with a learning disability and/or autistic person may have. Staff knew and understood people’s cultural preferences and were responsive to their needs. Staff ensured people received support and encouragement to be as independent as possible and fulfil their aspirations.
People told us or communicated to us they were happy living at the service. Relatives gave feedback their family members were safe living at Sunlight. The service has created a homely atmosphere, where people and staff are happy and comfortable in the company of each other.
People were protected from the risks of abuse by staff who understood their responsibilities in relation to protecting vulnerable people.
People were supported by an experienced, knowledgeable team of staff who had been recruited safely. Staff knew people well and understood how best to communicate with them in a way they could understand.
The service was clean and there were robust infection prevention and control measures in place. Staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment, adhering to the current Government guidance.
The registered manager had implemented effective checks and audits on the quality and safety of the service. When shortfalls were identified, action was taken to address these.
The service worked well in partnership with advocacy organisations and other health and social care organisations, which helped to give people using the service a voice and improve their health outcomes.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 20 March 2019)
Why we inspected
This inspection was undertaken based on the date of the previous inspection of the service.
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.