Festing Grove

Inspectors saw staff asking for consent, offering choices and explaining care tasks. Some people also showed signs that they felt safe and comfortable with staff.

“We observed staff respectfully asking consent, offering choices, and explaining practical care tasks throughout the inspection.” from the report

People told inspectors about going to the seafront. This shows that some opportunities to go out were taking place.

“We get to go to the sea front, and I like [staff member's name]. They help me.” from the report

The manager took action during and after the inspection, including increasing staffing to the required level for evacuation and arranging risk assessments and care plan reviews.

“The provider responded immediately during and after the inspection by reflecting on concerns, undertaking risk assessments, reviewing support plans and seeking advice on fire safety.” from the report

Incidents of abuse or possible abuse were not always identified, followed up or reported to the local authority. People were also left alone in communal areas despite a known need for supervision.

“People were not always safeguarded from abuse and avoidable harm.” from the report

Staff had not always been checked as competent to give medicines. Errors were not consistently reported or investigated, and records and guidance for medicines given when needed were incomplete.

“People had not always received their medicines in a safe way.” from the report

Some people had not been assessed for safe use of the stairs. An assisted bath judged unsafe was still being used, and incident records did not always show what had been learned.

“For example, the assisted bath was deemed unsafe by a competent professional. However, the bath was still being used for people” from the report

Mental Capacity Act paperwork and checks on deprivation of liberty safeguards were not always in place. This created a risk that decisions were not made in people's best interests.

“People did not always have the necessary MCA paperwork in place.” from the report

The home's monitoring systems failed to identify the shortfalls found during the inspection. Staff also said they did not always receive supervision or feel able to raise concerns.

“Quality assurance systems did not operate effectively. Monitoring had not identified the shortfalls found within the inspection.” from the report

Induction reviews, competency checks, team meetings and supervision had not always happened as planned. There was no registered manager in post at the time of the inspection.

“At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post.” from the report