Sycamore Park Care Home

Sycamore Park Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 46 people. The service provides support to people with a range of needs, including those living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 41 people using the service.

Sycamore Park accommodates 46 people across three separate floors, each of which has separate adapted facilities. The middle floor specialises in providing care to people living with dementia.

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

People felt safely supported and there were secure relationships with staff who knew them well.

Consistent staff deployment was in place to meet people’s individual needs. Recruitment practices were robust to help ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Individual risk assessments were documented in care plans and people’s safety was considered well. Safety related training was completed, and staff were confident in their abilities to keep people safe. Medicines were managed safely overall. Infection prevention and control measures were in place and known by staff, people who used the service and their relatives. Clear information about COVID-19 was continuously shared and practice was in line with current guidance

Staff felt fully supported through supervision and training, which was relevant to the needs of people living in the home. Staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities and there was effective teamwork evident. People enjoyed their meals and their nutritional and hydration needs were well met.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were very at home in the service and their dignity was promoted well. There was an exceptionally welcoming, friendly, homely atmosphere throughout the home. Staff in all roles were passionate about the people living at Sycamore Park and were highly committed to ensuring the best outcomes for individuals. Staff understood the unique and individual needs of the people they supported and treated them with the utmost respect. This mirrored the care and support given to the staff by the management team, who recognised the effects of valuing staff in order for them to deliver high quality care.

People were very happy being supported by staff who knew their likes and dislikes, as well as personalities. Records of people’s care and support were written in a person-centred way.

Consideration was given to how people could be best supported to undertake activities, in ways which were meaningful to them. The activity co-ordinator was enthusiastic and motivational, encouraging people and their families to join in with a range of activities. Families told us the service met the needs of their relatives.

There had been recent changes to the management of the home and there had been a temporary absence of a manager until the new registered manager came into post. Continuity of leadership had been maintained by the deputy manager and senior management. Staff spoke highly about the management team and said the changes had not impacted on the quality of care delivery.

Staff felt listened to, involved and valued. Families felt very informed and included, which was evidenced by their feedback and the high levels of communication throughout the service.

There was a clearly set out governance model. Quality checks were consistently carried out, and there was close oversight of the service. The values and vision of the service were known by staff and embedded in 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 The last rating for the service under the previous provider was Good, published on 4 January 2019.

We had carried out a short inspection during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2021, which had given assurance about infection, prevention and control in the service. This inspection was not rated.

Why we inspected This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

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

We found the following examples of good practice.

The service was clean, tidy and well maintained. There were robust cleaning schedules in place. This included a traffic light system which identified high touch areas for enhanced cleaning.

The service was set out in a way that promoted social distancing. There were signs to prompt people to social distance.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was being utilised in line with government guidance to keep people safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Risks to staff and people relating to COVID-19 were thoroughly assessed and managed. The service had assessed and taken measures to protect people who may be at increased risk, for example people with health conditions.