Sycamore Grove Care Home

The home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 70 people living with a variety of care and support needs, mobility issues and people receiving support during a period of respite. Care is provided over 3 floors including the memory lane floor providing support for people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 30 people living in the home. The home had a registered manager in post. This was the first assessment for this service.

We spoke to people living in the home, visitors and relatives. We also sought feedback from staff and visiting health professionals. We carried out observations in communal areas throughout the building to gain a picture of people’s experience living in the home.

There was a positive culture within the service. Leaders were visible and approachable and promoted learning across the home. Management led by example and fostered a positive and inclusive culture.

The service supported people safely. The home had a core staff team providing a high standard of care for people. People received care and support by well trained and competent staff. Staff understood how to identify and address safeguarding issues should these arise.

Staff were recruited safely and received appropriate training to support them to complete their roles. Medicines procedures were safe and people received their medicines in accordance with the prescription. People’s nutritional needs were assessed and reviewed. A daily menu was available with 2 main choices and alternatives available on request. Drinks, snacks and homemade cake were available for people to access.

Staff consistently treated people with kindness and dignity and demonstrated a high level of empathy and support for people. Care plans and risk assessments were person centred. Documentation was reviewed regularly. This ensured staff had access to relevant information about people and their care needs. Staff took the time to get to know people and their relatives. Care was highly personalised and staff used a detailed understanding of each person’s history, interests and preferences to shape daily routines, activities and overall wellbeing. This resulted in people experiencing care that reflected what mattered most to them. Staff were proactive in identifying changes in people’s needs and acted on professional advice. Staff worked closely with health care specialists and community teams involved in people’s care.

There was a varied and engaging activities programme providing entertainment and activities. People could choose which activities to participate in. The service also had access to their own minibus and regular outings were arranged.

The provider had multi tiered governance systems and processes to ensure robust oversight of all aspects of the day to day running of the home. There was an open culture to support ongoing learning and improvement. All identified learning was shared with staff to support improvements in practice.