Care team praised at Broadbridge Park

Broadbridge Park Care Home, has been praised in its first Care Quality Commission (CQC) report for having a friendly and thoughtful team of staff who encourage independence and know the residents well.

The care home was rated as Good in each of the five inspection categories - safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led – during the visit, which took place in August. In line with the CQC’s new ways of working following the Covid pandemic the infection control and prevention measures in place were inspected in full. This is to ensure the home is prepared in preventing or managing any infection outbreak.

Inspectors noted that residents were assessed in a person-centred holistic way and supported by staff who knew them well. Staff received appropriate support and training, and this included training in specific health conditions which ensured people received effective support with their needs. People were positive about the food on offer.

Part of the Caring Homes family, Broadbridge Park is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 70 people. One of the floors specialises in providing care to people living with dementia.

CQC inspectors noted that Broadbridge Park is a home where Caring Homes values were embedded into the leadership, culture and staff practice. Residents praised the care team saying, "The staff are very friendly. They look after me well." Another said, "They are very understanding. They encourage you to be independent."

One relative told the inspectors about how the service had completed a review and reassessment of their loved one's needs. "It was really nice that staff took time to reassess [person's] needs and [person] is now much happier." This demonstrated how people's needs were being managed effectively.

Staff consistently described the person-centred culture of the service, with an emphasis on learning and development. One staff member said, "It's not just a home, it's a family. It's about emotional and personalised support". Another staff member went on to describe the culture, "People are looked after really well, and training is excellent; the residents seem so content. A staff member said, "The home always puts residents first no matter how busy, always try to give people whatever they need, it's person-centred care."

Residents at Broadbridge Park are involved in decisions about their environment. For example, people had formed a committee to consider how the garden should be managed and were involved in appointing the gardener.

Karen Grainger Home Manager, said: “At Caring Homes we want to ensure that our home is just that – a caring home. We are all extremely happy that the CQC inspectors have recognised what a great team we have here and that we have been rated as Good in every category in our first inspection.”

To find out about life at the Sussex home the CQC team spoke with six residents and three relatives about their experience of the care provided as well as seven members of staff including the registered manager, area manager, registered nurse, senior care worker, care workers, housekeeping staff and the chef. A range of records was reviewed including six people's care records and multiple medication records, three staff files and a variety of records relating to the management of the home.

Caring Homes was established in 1994 by registered nurse Helena Jeffery and her son Paul. Since then the company has grown to become one of the most highly respected independent care and support providers in the UK with 70 homes across the country and it remains family run.