CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at SunFlowers
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found suitable risk assessments, safe medicine systems, infection control measures and recruitment checks, but recommended regular reviews of dependency levels and staffing needs.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed before they moved in, and staff received training and supervision. People were supported with food, drink, healthcare appointments, communication and decisions about their care.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated as individuals with dignity and respect. They were involved in decisions about their care and supported to remain independent and take part in activities.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and adapted to people's needs and communication styles. People were supported to maintain relationships, follow their interests and take part in community activities.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found a positive, inclusive culture and good oversight from management. Staff understood their roles, received support and training, and the home used audits to monitor care.
What inspectors found, September 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a recommendation to review staffing needs regularly.
The inspection took place on 16 August 2023 and was carried out by one inspector. The inspector spoke with all six people using the home, three staff members and reviewed care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People told inspectors they were happy, and inspectors saw people living active lives, making choices and taking part in community activities.
The home had enough staff for people's current needs, safe medicine systems, suitable care plans and checks on staff recruitment. The main recommendation was for the manager to review people's changing dependency levels and adjust staffing deployment when needed.
Personalised support
Care plans and support were tailored to people's needs, preferences and communication styles. Staff supported people to make choices and remain as independent as possible.
“Care and support was person centred and tailored to meet people's needs.” from the report
Active lives
People were supported to follow their interests, spend time with family and take part in activities in the community.
“People were supported to live full and active lives and to maintain contact with friends and family.” from the report
Safe medicines
Staff who administered medicines had training and competency checks. The medicine records reviewed were in good order and audits checked that medicines were given as prescribed.
“Medicine records we reviewed were in good order, with all the information staff needed to administer medicines safely.” from the report
Respectful culture
Inspectors saw good relationships between people and staff, with a calm atmosphere. People's equality, diversity, privacy and dignity were respected.
“There was a relaxed and calm atmosphere at the service with people getting along well together and enjoying each other's company.” from the report
Reviewing staffing needs
needs fixingStaffing met people's needs at the time of the inspection, but there was no regular system to review changing dependency levels and their effect on staffing.
“We recommend the registered manager puts a system in place to regularly review people's dependency levels and how any changes may impact on people's needs and staffing deployment.” from the report
- 01How do you regularly review each person's dependency level and decide whether staffing numbers need to change?
- 02How would you increase staffing if someone needed more support or wanted to attend activities in the community?
- 03How will you support my relative's preferred way of communicating, including any easy-read, pictorial or Makaton support they may need?
- 04How will my relative be involved in decisions about their care, daily activities and independence?
- 05How will you keep me informed about my relative's health appointments, care reviews and changing needs?
This inspection looked at all five CQC questions, including the premises and care provided, and all five ratings remained Good from the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 September 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.
What inspectors found, June 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with no serious risks or concerns identified.
Inspectors visited the home without notice on 22 May 2018. They spoke with six people, the deputy manager and a care worker. They observed care, reviewed two care files, three staff recruitment files, support records, audits and policies.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable recruitment checks, safe medicines systems and care plans that supported people's safety and independence.
People were described as happy and relaxed. Staff supported people's choices, health needs, relationships, communication and activities. People and their families were involved in care reviews, and complaints were handled effectively.
The home was already rated Good at the previous inspection. This inspection found that the evidence still supported that rating and found no serious risks or concerns.
Safe staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, including their activities and access to the community. Recruitment files showed appropriate checks had been completed.
“Staff recruited were suitable for the role they were employed.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were given on time by trained and competent staff. Storage, audits and procedures were in place.
“Only trained and competent staff administered medication which was stored safely in accordance with the manufactures guidance.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff understood people's preferences and supported their dignity, privacy, choices and independence.
“Staff treated people with dignity and respect and supported them in spending their time in the way they chose.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected individual needs and were updated when people's health or circumstances changed. People and families were involved in reviews.
“From care plans we reviewed we saw these were very individual and person centred.” from the report
Activities and community life
People took part in regular outings, day centres, holidays, concerts, theatre trips and activities linked to their interests and life skills.
“People had very active social lives and people went out every day.” from the report
People's views heard
People took part in discussions about menus, holidays, cleaning and living together. Families were also asked for feedback.
“People were actively involved in improving the service they received.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you continue to make sure there are enough staff for people's activities and trips into the community?
- 02How are medicines audited, and how do you check that they continue to be given safely and on time?
- 03How will you involve my relative and our family in care plan reviews when their needs change?
- 04What communication support would be available if my relative found it difficult to communicate verbally?
- 05How does the acting manager work with the registered manager and deputy managers in the home's day-to-day running?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service, covering all five CQC questions; all five ratings remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 June 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 SunFlowers
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 21 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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51 live-in carers within about an hour of Southend-on-Sea
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 £960 to £1,200 a week. 44 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
“She was always cheerful and looking for ways to stimulate my mother. She became her "friend" and provided best care always.”
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.