Working at Sandrock House Residential Care Home

People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff we spoke with were extremely knowledgeable about the procedure to follow for reporting concerns of a safeguarding nature. Medicines were managed in a safe way.

One member of staff commented, 'I have worked in care homes prior to working here, but this is care at its best. All the staff I work with have people's interests at heart and only want to provide care that is the best.' Staff were highly motivated.

Staff told us there was enough of them to assist people without rushing and they had time to spend talking with people. The registered provider used a dependency tool to determine appropriate staffing levels.

All care staff had achieved the Health and Social Care Diploma at level two or three, or were currently working towards this. The registered provider had completed a 12 month training course titled 'Dementia Care Matters' and conducted workshops for staff.

The registered provider placed a strong emphasis on improvement and worked towards and achieved recognised quality accreditation schemes such as the Gold Standards Framework for End of Life Care, a malnutrition project and a project with the emergency care practitioner's to develop staff skills around basic observations.

There were two effective activity co-ordinators who arranged a wide range of activities and outings. The service maintained a membership with National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) and was developing aspects of the 'Dementia Care Matters Butterfly Household Approach'.