CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 3 The Droveway
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff understood individual risks, medicines were managed safely, staffing was sufficient and the environment was clean and well maintained.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's health, communication and sensory needs. Staff had relevant training and worked with health professionals to support good outcomes.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect. People were supported to communicate, make choices and be involved in decisions about their care.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Support was planned around people's needs, wishes and goals. Staff used different communication methods and supported family contact and activities, although the home planned to increase outdoor activities.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective management, audits and action plans. Staff, relatives and health professionals described an open and supportive culture focused on people's quality of life.
What inspectors found, December 2023
3 The Droveway is rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care, with some improvements still being developed.
Two inspectors made an unannounced visit on 16 October 2023. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals. They observed care and communication, and reviewed care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home supported six adults with physical and learning disabilities and related health needs. Inspectors found that people were safe, treated with kindness and supported to make choices. Staff understood people's communication styles, health needs and personal preferences.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The ratings had remained Good since the previous inspection, which was published in September 2017 under the previous provider.
Staff understood people's needs
Staff knew people well and understood their complex health, communication and sensory needs. Health professionals and relatives were confident in the support provided.
“Staff support residents well and are aware of their complex and varied needs” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff showed warmth and compassion. They respected privacy and dignity, including by knocking before entering bedrooms and supporting people discreetly.
“People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people's privacy and dignity.” from the report
People had choice and control
People were supported to make everyday choices in ways suited to their communication. Staff used pictures, objects, gestures and other approaches to help people express themselves.
“People were enabled to make choices for themselves and staff ensured they had the information they needed.” from the report
Good health and safety support
Risk assessments covered areas such as epilepsy, nutrition and choking. Staff managed medicines safely and worked with health professionals when people's needs changed.
“People had a range of risk assessments covering areas such as epilepsy, nutrition, choking and other health needs.” from the report
Positive leadership and family involvement
The registered manager and staff were described as approachable and supportive. Relatives were welcomed, involved in planning and able to raise concerns.
“The service operated an open and transparent approach and apologised to people, and those important to them, when things went wrong.” from the report
Some redecoration was still needed
minorInspectors found the home generally well maintained, but some areas still needed redecoration. Work had been completed in some areas, while other work was still being agreed.
“There were a number of areas in need of redecoration some of which had been addressed by the provider whilst other areas were still in the process of being agreed.” from the report
Outdoor activities were being developed
minorThe home had identified that people were mainly taking part in indoor activities since the pandemic. Staff and managers were working on increasing outdoor activities.
“The registered manager and staff spoke of their plans to improve the level of outdoor activity as they had identified since the pandemic people were taking part mainly in indoor activities.” from the report
Recording progress towards goals could improve
minorThe manager planned to develop staff knowledge and the way the home evidences progress towards people's goals and aspirations.
“The registered manager told us of their plans to work with staff to further develop knowledge and awareness of supporting people to maximise goals and how to evidence progress towards them.” from the report
- 01How will you support my relative's specific communication and sensory needs?
- 02What outdoor activities are now available, and how will you support my relative to take part?
- 03How do you record progress towards each person's goals and aspirations?
- 04Which areas still need redecoration, and what is the planned timescale?
- 05How would staffing be maintained if there were short-term staff shortages?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including infection prevention and control, and it was the first inspection under the current provider. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 December 2023 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of 3 The Droveway
3 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 December 2020.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
46 live-in carers within about an hour of Brighton and Hove
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,280 a week. 37 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Lottie showed incredible patience and empathy, adapting her routine to fit in with Mum's moods. Most importantly, Lottie's cheerful manner helped Mum to get some enjoyment out of life.”
“He was infinitely patient with them and got on very well with us to the extent that we now regard him as a personal friend.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.