The Old Vicarage Care Home

Date of assessment: 30 April to 29 May 2025. The Old Vicarage is a care home providing accommodation personal and nursing care to a maximum of 36 older people, including people who may live with dementia. At the time of our unannounced visit, 25 people were using the service. A new manager was in post, since the last inspection, who had applied to become registered with the Commission. However, they left straight after the inspection, and an interim manager was employed by the provider, until a new manager was recruited. At our last inspection, improvements were needed to medicine management arrangements and to the governance systems so they ensured an open culture prevailed. At this inspection we found further improvements were required to systems, staffing levels, staff training, care records, activities, infection control, medicines management and governance to ensure people received safe, effective and person-centred care. People, relatives and staff spoke positively about staff, the manager who had just left, and the improvements they had made. The manager had introduced some improvements to the running of the service, including an ongoing programme of refurbishment. The environment was becoming better maintained, there was a programme of refurbishment around the home. However, we signposted the provider to guidance around how to design the environment so that it meets the needs of people who may live with dementia or a dementia related condition to keep them orientated and informed. We discussed with the manager improvements needed to ensure all areas of the home were clean and odour free. People’s care records and medicines records did not all provide guidance to ensure people received safe and person-centred care. Systems were in place to ensure people were kept safe and protected from the risk of harm and abuse, however improvements were needed to care records and the management of risk to ensure people’s safety. People had access to healthcare and support when they needed it. People’s mental capacity and ability to consent was taken into account. People and their representatives were involved in planning their care and support. Improvements were needed to staffing levels and staff deployment to ensure people received safe and person-centred care. There were limited activities and entertainment, and people did not have the opportunity to go out. Staff were busy and people were not kept engaged or occupied, if they wished. Staffing records did not evidence that robust recruitment checks were carried out to ensure people’s safety. A system of staff supervision was in place and staff training was in the process of being updated however further training was needed to give staff more insight into some people’s needs. Governance was not always effective. More frequent audits, and walk arounds were needed to ensure the timeliness of actions and to maintain the quality and safety of service provision. Accidents and incidents were investigated thoroughly, action taken, and lessons learned. Equipment was available to meet people’s needs and to help maintain their independence. Staff spoke positively about working at the service, management and the people they cared for. They were attentive and treated people with kindness and compassion. People, relatives and staff were consulted and asked to give their feedback about service provision. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this inspection.