CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Sutton Valence Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, regular risk reviews and safe medicines arrangements. Safeguarding concerns had been reported and investigated appropriately, and infection control measures were in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had training, supervision and appraisals. People received support with food, drink and healthcare, and inspectors found that consent and mental capacity processes followed the relevant guidance.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives spoke highly of staff. Inspectors saw respectful and friendly interactions, support for independence, and involvement in decisions about care.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's needs, choices and communication preferences. The home offered activities seven days a week, individual visits for people unable to join group activities, and support at the end of life.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The management team carried out regular audits, checks and out-of-hours visits. Staff, residents and relatives were encouraged to give feedback, and incidents and safeguarding matters were recorded and reviewed.
What inspectors found, July 2022
Sutton Valence Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with no breaches reported.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 21 and 22 June 2022. Inspectors spoke with seven people living in the home, six relatives and 14 staff. They also observed care and reviewed care plans, training records and management records.
The home supported 63 people at the inspection and was registered for up to 73 people needing nursing or personal care. Inspectors found good ratings in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.
People said they felt safe and well looked after. Inspectors found trained staff, safe recruitment, regular reviews of risks and medicines, personalised care plans, support with food and healthcare, and a range of activities. The home had systems for checking quality, investigating incidents and acting on concerns.
The previous inspection, under the former provider, was also rated Good in February 2019. This report says the ratings remained Good after the provider changed.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe and looked after. Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse, and safeguarding concerns had been properly investigated.
“All people we spoke with told us they felt safe and looked after by the staff.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff treating people warmly and with dignity. Staff knew people's histories, preferences and routines.
“There was a relaxed and homely feel at the home during our inspection.” from the report
Personalised choices
People were involved in their care plans and could choose how and when they received support. Care records included personal needs, communication methods, likes and dislikes.
“Care plans were person centred and identified people's individual needs.” from the report
Activities and relationships
The activity team provided varied activities, community trips and individual visits for people who could not join group activities.
“The activity teams were present in the home seven days a week and organised a wide range of things for people to do.” from the report
Strong oversight
Managers used audits, daily meetings and incident reviews to identify risks and improve care. Staff were encouraged to raise concerns.
“The provider had detailed systems of governance and the registered manager and deputy manager had daily oversight of this.” from the report
Refurbishment was delayed
minorThe home was due for refurbishment, but this had been delayed because of the pandemic. Inspectors recorded that new dates and plans had been shared, so families may want to check progress.
“Unfortunately, this had been delayed due to the pandemic however, residents, relatives and staff were informed of the new dates and plans for the home.” from the report
- 01What progress has been made with the refurbishment, and what are the current dates for the work?
- 02How will you assess and update my relative's care plan, including their communication, dietary and personal care preferences?
- 03How many staff are usually on duty on each wing, including at night, and how are absences covered?
- 04What activities or one-to-one time would be available if my relative could not join group activities?
- 05How would you involve our family and relevant professionals if my relative's health, capacity or end of life wishes changed?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions and infection prevention and control measures; all five ratings were given in this report. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 July 2022 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 Sutton Valence Care Home
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2022Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 April 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.
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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
“Irene was a very kind and empathetic carer who knew just the right words to say to put a smile on my face.”
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.