CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Baronsmede
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, staff understood safeguarding, and there were enough familiar staff. Medicines, infection control, recruitment and incident management were also found to be safe.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care plans were detailed and based on people's needs and choices. Staff were trained, people received support with nutrition and healthcare, and mental capacity and liberty safeguards were handled appropriately.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were described as kind, compassionate and respectful. People were involved in decisions and supported to communicate, maintain dignity and develop independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Support was highly individualised and helped people achieve goals, develop skills and take part in activities and community life. People were supported to maintain family and other relationships.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found strong leadership, an open culture and effective quality checks. The provider and manager focused on learning, staff development and improving people's independence.
What inspectors found, March 2020
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and highly personalised care, with strong support for independence.
This was an unannounced inspection on 26 November 2019. One inspector spoke with people, staff and relatives, observed daily activities and reviewed care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home supported eight adults with learning disabilities, complex needs and communication needs. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, good care planning and effective support from health professionals.
People were treated with kindness and respect. Staff supported people to make choices, build skills, join community activities and work towards more independent living.
The home was rated Good in all five areas and overall. This was the same rating as at the previous inspection, published on 9 May 2017.
Consistent staff team
People were supported by familiar staff who knew their needs well. Inspectors saw staff respond promptly and spend time talking with people.
“People were supported by a consistent and familiar team of staff and volunteers who had worked at the service for a number of years.” from the report
Support for independence
People were helped to build practical skills, make choices and move towards more independent living. Some people had already moved into their own accommodation.
“People had achieved positive outcomes in achieving independence and transforming their lives.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff understood people's individual preferences and communication methods. Inspectors observed warm relationships and respect for people's privacy and dignity.
“People were treated with dignity and compassion by a kind, caring staff and management team who understood people's individual needs, choices and preferences well.” from the report
Community involvement
People took part in varied activities, education, hobbies, holidays and community projects. Staff supported people to build friendships and work-related skills.
“People had ample opportunities to develop and maintain friendships through community connections, local faith groups, social clubs and holidays.” from the report
Home larger than current guidance
minorThe home was registered for up to nine people, which is larger than current best practice guidance. Inspectors said this had not negatively affected people, and the provider was working towards a smaller residential service with separate supported living accommodation.
“The service had been open for over 30 years and therefore had not been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance.” from the report
- 01What progress has been made with changing the home into a smaller residential service and separate supported living accommodation?
- 02How would the planned changes affect my relative's room, support, routines and relationships?
- 03How are my relative's communication methods recorded and used by all staff?
- 04How will my relative be supported to develop independence and take part in activities that matter to them?
- 05How are relatives involved when care plans and risk assessments are reviewed?
This was a planned, unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 March 2020 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.
What inspectors found, May 2017
Baronsmede was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with effective leadership.
This was an unannounced inspection on 9 March 2017. One inspector spoke with four people using the service, staff, managers and a nominated individual. They reviewed care records, risk assessments, medicines records, staff files and quality checks. They also observed care and received feedback from four healthcare professionals.
The home supported up to nine people with a learning disability, and eight people were using it at the inspection. Inspectors found people were safe, supported by trained staff and given their medicines safely. People received enough food and drink, had their health needs met and were involved in decisions about their care.
Inspectors found staff were kind, respectful and familiar with people's needs. Care was tailored to people's routines, choices and activities. The manager was described as approachable, and checks were used to monitor and improve the service. All five areas inspected were rated Good.
Staffing and safety
Inspectors found enough permanent staff to meet people's needs. Staff understood safeguarding, risks and emergency procedures.
“People were protected from harm because staff had had been trained to recognise abuse and knew what action to take to keep people safe.” from the report
Staff training
Staff received an induction, ongoing training, supervision and appraisals. Training covered people's specific needs as well as core care subjects.
“Staff received ongoing training, supervision and support to enable them to be effective in their role.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well and respected their choices, privacy and dignity. People were supported to remain as independent as possible.
“Staff upheld people's dignity and privacy when they supported them.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's histories, preferences, routines and goals. People could take part in varied activities and maintain important relationships.
“People received individualised care which reflected their preferences and choices.” from the report
Management and quality checks
The manager was accessible and staff felt able to raise concerns. Audits and feedback were used to identify and address improvements.
“Quality checks and audits were used effectively to monitor and improve people's care and support.” from the report
DoLS renewal pending
minorA renewal application for one person's authorisation to restrict their liberty was pending during the inspection. Ask what happened afterwards and whether the authorisation was renewed.
“An application was pending with the local authority safeguarding for a renewal of a DoLS authorisation for one person.” from the report
- 01What was the outcome of the pending Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards renewal mentioned in the report?
- 02How are medicines checked now, including 'when required' medicines and staff competency?
- 03How do you review and update each person's risk assessments and care plan when their needs change?
- 04What activities are available now, and how are people supported to maintain family relationships and independence?
- 05How can people and relatives give feedback or make a complaint, and how are issues followed up?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service, covering all five CQC questions through interviews, observations and records; it also noted that the provider offered supported living and day services. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 May 2017 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 Baronsmede
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 July 2015.
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.
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19 live-in carers within about an hour of East Sussex
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 £1,000 to £1,400 a week. 13 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“When he point blank refused to go into hospital for a life saving blood transfusion she talked him through the situation and agreed to go in the ambulance with him and stayed until he was settled.”
“Una felt safe, secure and loved in her time with Debbie which is a gift that I am eternally grateful for.”
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.