Improvements recognised as CQC rate Kettering care home, Good Overall
Station Road, a local care home, in Kettering, Northamptonshire, which specialises in residential support and accommodation for up to ten people with learning disabilities, autism and additional complex needs is celebrating having successfully met previous challenges head on to be rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Operated by Consensus, Station Road was rated Good by inspectors, following a number of improvements being made, for providing a safe, effective, caring, responsive service.
The hugely experienced manager demonstrated that they understood the prior concerns raised by CQC related to the service and was able to provide assurances during the visit that they with the support of providers, Consensus had turned the service around and inspectors noted that the service was consistently managed and well-led, evidenced by leaders and the culture they created promoting high-quality, person-centred care. One relative told inspectors, “[Name] has been in lots of care homes, this is one of the better ones.” A staff member shared, “I would recommend it, the activities are brilliant, and people are always smiling.”
Positively benefiting from a Consensus Manager with extensive operational knowledge colleagues are actively engaged in seeking feedback to improve the service further, with CQC observing during their visit that relationships had been built between people and staff based on mutual trust and respect and are benefiting from relationship being improved with key stakeholders.
Inspectors observed supported individuals to be relaxed and comfortable around staff they knew well. Relatives told inspectors they had no reason to doubt the safety of their loved ones, with safeguarding systems and processes in place and embedded.
The Inspector noted that staff knew people well and provided care and support to prevent a deterioration in their healthcare condition. One relative told them, “The nursing staff are great, and all understand [relative]. They are on top of things and keep in contact with me.”
Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversity is a key aspect of the inspection and the inspection notes that; “Staff were kind and caring. Relatives told us staff cared for their loved ones and attended to visitors needs too.”
One relative told the inspector, “I love the staff, they are brilliant, they make me feel welcome. They ask if I want a coffee and know how I like it.”
The report continues, “We observed the home to have a happy and relaxed atmosphere. One relative told us, “What I like and what I always wanted was for [relative] to have the atmosphere of home and to be relaxed… like you would do in your home. Staff have a laugh and joke with people.” Another relative told us, “I always hear laughter.” Relatives felt their loved ones were happy living at the home. One relative told us, “I ask [relative] whether they are happy or want to move and [relative] always say yes they are happy.”
We are delighted that inspectors observed that people we support, and colleagues had developed caring relationships together and enjoy each other’s company.
The Service Manager explains that the plan is to make the service feel even more warm, cozy and homely. “Plans are exciting, and everyone is getting involved. Consensus are really committed to making this happen.”
During the inspection the inspector spoke with relatives and support team members, this included senior organisational colleagues, the registered manager and a health professional. They noted that, “The home had a close relationship with the local university and supported student nurses to have placements at the home and were delighted to hear that relationships had been built with a local supermarket. The supermarket has advised they will transform the garden into a sensory garden to benefit people living at the home.”
Karen Parker- Farthing, Service Manager for Station Road, says, “I am extremely proud that Consensus and our team evidenced that we have a strong, committed, supportive team who promote the continued improvement of people’s lives. We enable people to make choices and feel they have a great quality of life. We will continue to meet and work with professionals to improve areas of concern. Working together is the key and opening up discussions with everyone involved and we are extremely delighted that the inspector noted that people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this, rating us ‘Good’ overall.”
Station Road, is a large pleasant house close to the town of Kettering and provides a caring, supportive environment for adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and nursing needs. The service supports ten people and provides a positive environment.
The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.