CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Grangemead
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found suitable risk assessments, safe medicines systems, enough staff and effective safeguarding arrangements. The home was clean and equipment was maintained.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training and support. Guests received suitable health care, food and support with nutrition, swallowing and other medical needs.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff knew guests well, used their preferred names and promoted dignity, privacy, choice and independence. Guests and relatives were involved in care planning where appropriate.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected guests' needs, preferences and routines, and activities were offered individually and in groups. Inspectors found that emergency respite plans did not always record the purpose or goals of the stay clearly.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found open and approachable leadership, clear responsibilities and a caring culture. Quality checks were in place, but fluid monitoring and emergency care plans still needed improvement.
What inspectors found, May 2018
Grangemead is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, but some records needed improvement.
This was an unannounced inspection on 9 and 11 April 2018. Inspectors reviewed care records, medicines, staff files, complaints, accidents, audits and the premises. They spoke with guests, relatives, staff and health and social care professionals, and observed care.
The home provides planned and emergency respite for adults with learning disabilities. Inspectors found that guests were safe, treated with kindness and supported by staff who understood their needs. Medicines, staffing, safeguarding, food, activities and health support were managed well.
There were some gaps in records. Emergency respite care plans did not always clearly explain what each stay was meant to achieve. Fluid charts were still not completed consistently. The management team started work on these issues during the inspection.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the first inspection since the home registered in January 2017.
Safe care
Staff understood individual risks and knew how to respond to health needs, including seizures, swallowing difficulties and behaviour that might cause harm.
“Guests who were supported by the service were safe.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw warm interactions. Staff respected guests' privacy, communication methods, choices and independence.
“Staff treated guests with kindness, compassion and respect and promoted guests independence and right to privacy.” from the report
Skilled staff
New staff had an induction before working alone. Staff received a range of training, regular supervision and appraisals.
“Guests received care from staff who had the skills and knowledge needed to carry out their roles.” from the report
Personalised support and activities
Regular respite guests had care plans covering their routines, preferences, health needs and support. Guests could take part in activities at home and in the community.
“The care plans were developed with guests and if appropriate their families, taking into account their life history, likes, dislikes and ways they would like to be supported.” from the report
Emergency respite goals were not always recorded
needs fixingCare records for some emergency respite guests did not clearly explain why the stay was needed or what it aimed to achieve. The management team took this forward immediately.
“There was little reflection of what the stay was to accomplish or individual goals set, such as rebuilding relationships, confidence building, behaviour management or seeking an alternative placement due to their increased health needs.” from the report
Emergency care plans needed improvement
needs fixingInspectors identified emergency care plans as an area needing improvement, alongside fluid monitoring.
“However during the inspection we found that improvements to fluid monitoring and emergency care plans was needed and this was acknowledged by the management team.” from the report
- 01How will you record the purpose and expected outcomes of an emergency respite stay?
- 02How will you make sure fluid charts are completed consistently for my relative?
- 03What will the emergency care plan include if my relative arrives at short notice?
- 04How will you review whether the goals of a respite stay have been achieved?
- 05How will you record and share my relative's preferred ways of communicating?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC areas, including the premises, care provided, records, staffing, medicines and the views of guests, relatives and professionals. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 May 2018 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 Grangemead
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- May 2018Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 January 2017.
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
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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.