Uckfield care home for people with learning disabilities remains ‘good’

Nutley Hall offers therapeutic approaches to care and support in a working and living community environment, where staff and people live and work together, in seven units in six separate buildings.

Health bosses visited the home on January 27, and gave it an overall ‘good’ rating.

The CQC report, which has since been published, said there were enough staff working in the home to support people to take part in a range of internal and external activities of their choice. These included weaving, baking, woodwork, and arts and crafts.

People were also supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.

The report added: “Staff had completed mental capacity training, they had a good understanding of consent and people made decisions about all aspects of their day to day lives.

“Care plans and supporting documentation reflected people’s individual needs and the support staff provided.

“The care plans were reviewed and updated regularly, with the involvement of people and their relatives.”

The care home was in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes.

The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence.

“People using the service receive planned and coordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them,” the CQC report said.

“Staff knew people very well and had a good understanding of their needs. Risk had been assessed and staff provided support to reduce risk as much as possible without restricting people.

“People were unable to tell us if they felt safe. However, relatives and health professionals said they felt the service was safe and we saw staff supported people safely.”

It added that people’s support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Robust recruitment procedures were also in place to ensure only suitable people were employed.

Appropriate training and supervision were provided to ensure staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities.

The CQC report said there were positive comments from staff, relatives and health professionals about the management of the home, and feedback was consistently sought to identify areas where improvements may be needed.

At the time of the inspection 32 people were using the service.

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