Thorndene

Thorndene, located in Swingfield, Kent, is a residential care home that provides accommodation and personal care for up to 17 people, alongside supporting five individuals through a supported living service. The people who access this care are individuals with a learning disability and or autism. This specific inspection took place unannounced on 21 February 2022 and was carried out by the Care Quality Commission as a targeted review focused primarily on infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as checking on any potential staffing pressures.

In terms of safety, the home successfully demonstrated robust measures to manage infection risks, ensuring proper visiting arrangements and adherence to shielding and social distancing guidelines. The service maintained appropriate supplies of personal protective equipment and used it safely, supported by a dedicated COVID-19 champion who monitored testing, training, and access to protective gear for staff, residents, and visitors. Furthermore, the premises maintained high hygiene practices and appropriate layouts, while the policies for preventing and managing potential infection outbreaks were kept fully up to date.

Regarding how effective the care is, the report notes that the provider had specific measures in place to actively monitor and mitigate risks associated with COVID-19 related staffing pressures.

When looking at the caring aspect, the home ensured that residents were supported to use personal protective equipment if they personally wanted to do so.

For the responsive category, the service provided accessible information tailored for individuals who needed extra support to understand COVID-19 and learn how to stay safe.

In the area of leadership, the management successfully met current legal requirements by ensuring that all non-exempt care workers and visiting professionals were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and they facilitated visiting arrangements in direct accordance with government guidance.