St Vincent’s Care Limited is a residential care home for 25 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. There are 24 bedrooms, which are all en-suite.

At our last inspection on 30 December 2014, we rated the service as good. At this inspection we found evidence continued to support the rating of good in all five key questions. From our on-going monitoring of the service there was no evidence that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

There was a registered manager working at the home. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. A new provider bought the home in July 2017 and has made improvements to the service, which included new equipment, specialist beds and additional staffing.

People visiting, living and working at the home gave us positive feedback about the staff, management team and the new provider. People said they could speak with staff if they had a concern and were confident actions would be taken, if required. There was a strong commitment to staff training, which included recognising and reporting abuse, and increasing the staff team’s knowledge and skills. There were sufficient numbers of suitable staff to keep people safe and meet their needs. Recruitment practices ensured people were supported by appropriate staff. Medicines were well managed.

Staff demonstrated an understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA). Where people lacked capacity, mental capacity assessments were completed and best interest decisions made in line with the MCA. CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. People were supported to have choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. DoLS provide legal protection for those vulnerable people who are, or may become, deprived of their liberty. Staff supported people to be involved in making decisions and planning their own care on a day to day basis.

People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and staff knew people’s individual likes and dislikes. People were positive about the food at the service and consideration had been given to make the meal time experience for people a pleasant one. The provider employed a designated activities coordinator; people were supported to follow their interests and take part in social activities, which were of an interest to them. People said staff treated them with dignity and respect in a caring and compassionate way. Visitors praised the welcoming atmosphere and the support they received from staff, particularly when end of life care was being provided for their relative.

Care plans reflected people’s needs and gave staff clear guidance about how to support them safely. Care plans were individualised. People were referred promptly to health care services when required and received on-going healthcare support. Staff worked in partnership with other agencies and feedback from visiting health professionals complimented the staff on a well-run and caring service, as well as their professionalism.

The premises were well managed and maintained to keep people safe. There were emergency plans in place to protect people in the event of a fire. A quality monitoring system at the service ensured people’s views were sought through meetings, reviews and questionnaires with the aim to continuously improve the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

We spent time talking with four people who lived at the service. We spoke with staff, the homes manager and looked at some records. People using the service told us "I love it here." and "We are a very happy crowd here, I think its marvellous."

We found that staff treated people with respect and that people were involved in decisions about the care and support provided to them. Care plans were person centred and focused on promoting people's independence. We saw that the service had appropriate systems in place to ensure people were protected from the risk of infection. We saw that staff knew people and people's individual needs well and that appropriate recruitment and selection processes were in place. We found that the service had appropriate quality assurance processes in place to gather information about the quality and safety of the service.

In this report the name of a Registered Manager Mrs Gillian Gikes appears who was not in post and not managing the regulatory activities at this location at the time of the inspection. Their name appears because they were still a Registered Manager on our register at the time.

We spoke to people using the services but their feedback did not relate to the standard we inspected.

We spoke with 20 people using the service who told us they were very happy living in St Vincent’s. The people told us that the staff were kind and thoughtful and respected their privacy and dignity. People praised the food they received in the home and the choices they were given at each mealtime.

The inspection was carried out on 30 December 2014 and was unannounced.

St Vincent's Rest Home is located in Bexhill On Sea. It is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for up to 25 older people in 23 single bedrooms and 1 double room. At the time of our visit the home had one vacancy.

The home had been converted and expanded from a former Victorian vicarage that provides an established homely environment. This is the provider/owner’s sole care home. They pride themselves on offering person centred care in a homely environment.

There was a registered manager at the service on the day of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

There were enough staff to spend time with people and support them in ways that encouraged their independence and made them feel safe. One person told us, “There are enough staff on duty during the day and at night. I feel safe and happy here. If I had any concerns I could talk to the manager or their deputy who are both lovely and supportive”. A visitor to the home said, “I have been coming here for years and I can say without a shadow of a doubt there’s enough staff, definitely. If staff hear a call bell they answer it straight away.”

Staff understood how to recognise abuse and to report their concerns. There were policies and procedures in place for managing risk. Risk assessments were centred around the needs of the person. People were encouraged to remain as independent as possible.

Medicines were stored and administered safely. Staff were trained in the administration of medicines and kept relevant records that were accurate and fit for purpose.

People’s care, treatment and support needs were clearly identified in their care plans. They included people’s choices and preferences. Staff knew people well and understood their likes and dislikes. They treated people with kindness and respect. People were positive about the staff support and the care they received. They said that staff looked after people well and that they were friendly and helpful.

People were supported to have a balanced and nutritious diet by staff that were patient and sensitive. People received different levels of support with eating and drinking to ensure their needs were met.

People were able to exercise choice about how they spent their day. The home provided a choice between a smaller lounge that was cosier and quieter. There was also the larger, busier lounge. During our visit, some people chose to remain in their bedroom and staff checked on their wellbeing in a discreet manner.

Staff had appropriate training and experience to support people. Training was up to date and staff had the opportunity to receive training, specific to the needs of the people they provided care for. The manager was seen to be approachable and had an open door policy.

Staff understood the aims of the home. They expressed confidence in the provider/owner and manager’s leadership of the home. There was good communication between staff and everyone helped each other. Everyone we spoke with commented how St Vincent's Rest Home was a homely service with values that carried over into good practice. Staff at St Vincent’s Rest Home were the 2014 team award winners in the care category of the NHS Surrey and Sussex Proud to Care Public Choice Awards. The Director of Nursing and Quality for NHS England in Surrey and Sussex said, “The Proud to Care Awards are given to those who have gone the extra mile and delivered exceptional care across Surrey and Sussex.”