Littlecroft

Littlecroft is a residential care home located in New Romney, consisting of two neighboring chalet bungalows. It provides accommodation and personal care for up to nine adults with learning disabilities, and five people were living there at the time of this unannounced inspection in February 2018. Following previous concerns identified in 2016, the latest report shows that significant improvements have been successfully made across all areas, ensuring residents live in a safe, supportive, and well-managed environment.

The home maintains a safe environment where residents appear relaxed and at ease. Potential risks to health and welfare are actively managed with specific risk assessments, and staff follow proper safeguarding procedures to protect people from harm. Medicines are managed safely by trained staff, and previous issues regarding fire safety, emergency evacuation plans, and water management have been fully addressed and resolved.

Care is delivered effectively by a well-trained team whose members understand individual communication styles and needs. Staff properly apply the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, ensuring that decisions are made in residents' best interests, and legal safeguards regarding freedom of movement are correctly followed. Residents also have regular access to a wide range of external healthcare professionals to maintain their overall well-being.

Interactions between residents and staff are warm, compassionate, and respectful of personal dignity. Staff know individuals very well, remembering what matters to them and supporting them to maintain relationships with family and friends. Personal preferences and privacy are consistently respected throughout daily routines and within personalized bedrooms.

Support is highly responsive to individual needs, with care plans reflecting personal choices and routines. Residents are encouraged to pursue hobbies, participate in activities, and enjoy community outings. There are accessible complaint systems in place, and feedback from residents and their families is actively used to shape the service.

The home benefits from stable and transparent leadership through a registered manager who ensures quality assurance processes are properly followed. Staff report feeling well-supported within an open culture that encourages shared views and teamwork. While leadership is strong, oversight relies on a manager who splits time across sister services, though team leaders reliably oversee day-to-day operations on site.