CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Valerie Manor
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, October 2017
Valerie Manor was rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptionally safe, effective and caring support, with responsiveness rated Good.
Inspectors visited unannounced on 15 and 16 August 2017. They observed care, spoke with people, relatives, staff and other professionals, and checked care records, medicines records, staffing information, training records and management records.
They found the home very safe and clean. Risks and medicines were managed carefully. There were enough staff, and staff were recruited and trained safely. People received prompt healthcare support and were involved in decisions about their care.
Inspectors described care as exemplary and exceptionally caring. Staff knew people well, respected their dignity and supported people and families sensitively, including at the end of life. Activities and personalised care were rated Good under Responsive, while Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were rated Outstanding.
The overall rating was Outstanding. The previous inspection in July 2015 also resulted in an Outstanding overall rating.
People felt safe
The home asked people and relatives what would help them feel safer and acted on their suggestions. Staff understood safeguarding and how to report concerns.
“Ensuring that people were and felt safe at Valerie Manor was of paramount importance.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Inspectors found medicines were managed safely, with regular audits and reviews. The home worked closely with the pharmacist and GP.
“People's medicines were managed so they received them safely.” from the report
Highly skilled staff
Staff received a wide range of training, supervision and reflective support. Training included dementia, safeguarding, moving and handling and end of life care.
“The home had innovative and creative ways of training and developing the staff to make sure they put their learning into practice to deliver outstanding care.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people well and gave them time. Inspectors observed warm relationships, respect for privacy and support that encouraged independence.
“Staff treated people with dignity and respect at all times.” from the report
Excellent end of life care
People's wishes were recorded and respected. Families received sensitive support, and staff had access to counselling after difficult experiences.
“End of life care at Valerie Manor was exemplary.” from the report
Strong leadership
People, relatives and staff were involved in developing the home. The management used audits and feedback to drive continued improvement.
“Continuous improvement was a driver in maintaining the high standards of care and quality of life for people at the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and record my relative's personal preferences, life history and care needs?
- 02What activities and outings would be suitable for my relative, and how would they be involved in choosing them?
- 03How would you support my relative and our family if their health worsened or they needed end of life care?
- 04How many staff and nurses are normally on duty during the day and at night?
- 05How are medicines reviewed and how would you tell us about any medicines error?
This was an unannounced inspection covering the overall service and all five CQC questions, including checks of care, staffing, medicines, records and management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 October 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. The report was longer than we could read in one go; the later sections may not be reflected.
Every inspection of Valerie Manor
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Outstanding rating throughout.
- October 2017Outstandingcurrent ratingstayed OutstandingSafe: OutstandingEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- September 2015OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 11 November 2010.
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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28 live-in carers within about an hour of West 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 £1,020 to £1,170 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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.