CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Cliff Court Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, August 2019
Rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with some records and emergency planning improved during or after the visit.
This was an unannounced inspection on 27 and 28 June 2019. One inspector spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals. They observed care and reviewed care plans, medicine records, staff files, complaints, accidents, training and management audits.
The home was rated Good overall and in Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, clean surroundings and suitable medicine systems. Staff supported people with dementia patiently and knew their needs, preferences and routines.
People were offered choices about food, activities, care and daily life. Their health needs were followed up with outside professionals. Inspectors also found that personal emergency evacuation plans were missing at the time of the visit, but these were put in place a few days later. Some care plans also needed more detail about people's histories.
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as kind and respectful. Inspectors saw staff taking time to talk with people and supporting privacy, dignity and independence.
“People were treated with respect, compassion and kindness.” from the report
Good dementia support
Staff had dementia training and knew how to communicate with people whose needs varied from day to day. The home used pictures and other activities to support communication.
“Staff had a good understanding about different types of dementia” from the report
Safe medicines support
Medicine records were completed correctly. Staff were trained and gave people explanations, choice and enough time when medicines were offered.
“People were given plenty of time and support with taking their medicine.” from the report
Personalised activities
People could choose group or one-to-one activities, including drawing, gardening, music and games. Activities were adapted for people who preferred to stay in their rooms.
“People who did not want to take part in group activities were offered alternatives.” from the report
Visible management
The manager knew people well, was available to staff and used audits and meetings to check the service and respond to issues.
“The registered manager was engaged with people.” from the report
Emergency evacuation plans
seriousPersonal emergency evacuation plans were not in place when inspectors visited. The home provided copies of these plans a few days after the inspection.
“There were no personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) in place.” from the report
Care plan histories
needs fixingCare plans did not include detailed personal histories for people. The manager agreed to add this information.
“There was no detailed history about people.” from the report
Complaints information
minorRelatives said they would speak to the manager about concerns, but were not always familiar with the formal complaints policy.
“Relatives were uncertain of the policy but had the confidence to complain if needed.” from the report
- 01Can you show us how each person's personal emergency evacuation plan is kept up to date?
- 02How do you record and use each person's life history when planning their care?
- 03How are relatives told about the formal complaints policy and how complaints are investigated?
- 04How do you make sure people who stay in their rooms receive regular one-to-one activities?
- 05How are changes in people's health, risks or support needs passed on to all staff?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, and the home was rated Good in each one. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 August 2019 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, November 2016
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, safe medicines and strong management, with some staff recruitment still under way.
This was an unannounced inspection on 11 October 2016. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, visitors, a GP, staff and the manager. They also observed care and checked care plans, medicines, staff files and health and safety records.
The inspectors found the home safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. People were supported by trained staff, received personalised care and had access to healthcare. Medicines were administered safely, and people had choices about food, activities and daily routines.
People and relatives were very positive about the home. Staff were described as kind and respectful. The home had enough staff to provide care safely during the inspection, although staff were covering extra hours while a new member of staff was being recruited.
All five areas and the service overall were rated Good. This means the inspectors found the home met the required standards at the time of the inspection, but the report does not mean every part of care was perfect.
Kind and respectful care
People said staff were kind, gentle and helpful. Inspectors saw staff listen to people, protect their dignity and help them feel comfortable.
“People told us the staff who worked with them were always kind and caring.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's preferences, routines and abilities. Staff knew people well and supported them to make everyday choices and remain independent where possible.
“Care plans were personalised to each individual and contained information to assist staff to provide care in a manner that respected their wishes.” from the report
Safe medicines and staffing
Medicines were given by trained staff, records were clear and stock checks found no errors. Inspectors also found enough staff to provide care safely during the visit.
“People's medicines were administered by staff who had received specific training to carry out this task.” from the report
Good healthcare support
The home arranged appointments and professional support according to people's needs. Staff monitored health changes and sought advice promptly.
“A doctor visiting the home said staff were always quick to ask for support if they had concerns about a person's health.” from the report
Approachable management
The manager was regularly available to people, visitors and staff. Quality checks, staff meetings and feedback surveys were used to monitor the home.
“The registered manager was very open and approachable.” from the report
Recruitment was under way
minorThe home was recruiting a new member of staff. Until then, staff, including the manager and chef, were covering some extra hours, although inspectors found staffing was sufficient during the visit.
“Staff worked as a team and were currently covering some extra hours while the manager recruited a new member of staff.” from the report
Snack information was not accessible to everyone
minorA notice said hot drinks and snacks were available at all times, but most people would not have been able to read it because of their physical and mental frailty.
“However due to physical and mental frailty most people would not have been able to read this.” from the report
- 01Has the staff vacancy mentioned in the report been filled, and how are staffing levels managed now?
- 02How would you manage nursing needs, given that the home does not provide nursing care?
- 03How do you make sure people with dementia know that drinks, snacks and activities are available?
- 04How are care plans reviewed with the person and their family when needs or preferences change?
- 05How do you check that medicines remain accurate and safe when prescriptions change?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering the overall service and all five CQC questions; the previous inspection on 20 September 2013 had found no concerns. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 November 2016 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 Cliff Court Care Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- August 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 January 2011.
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.