“Continuous culture of improvement” at Sunnybrae – but work remains around staffing levels

Sunnybrae Housing Support Service continues to benefit from a “culture of continuous improvement” – however staff recruitment and retention remains an issue.

That’s according to Inspectors from the Care Inspectorate who carried out an unannounced visit to the service at Eunson Kloss in Kirkwall during July 2023. Improvements have been made since the May inspection with the leadership having moved from “weak” to “adequate”.

Sunnybrae provides a combined housing support and care at home service for people in their own homes, located next to a core building which is staffed.

Key messages contained within the inspection report:

• Individuals supported were happy with their experiences.
• The service worked with external groups to enhance the experiences of individuals.
• The manager had made improvements to the quality assurance system in the service.
• Management availability within the service needed to improve.
• The service continued to find staff recruitment and retention a challenge.

The Inspectors evaluated the service as “adequate” in 3 areas- supporting people’s wellbeing, leadership, care and support planning and “weak” in terms of the staff team – an improving picture on the May inspection.

Orkney Health and Care Chief Officer, Stephen Brown, said: “We are pleased that the Inspectors recognised that there is a culture of continuous improvement at Sunnybrae as that is what we are striving to do, despite the challenges in terms of recruitment and retention.

“Staff are working hard to ensure that the supported individuals are happy with their experiences, which Inspectors highlighted, but we know we need to do more around the levels of staffing. We continue to appeal to members of the public in Orkney to consider care as a career. It’s not a job but a vocation and for the right people, it can be life-changing in terms of going home knowing you have made a difference to the lives of others. You can see the roles available at www.orkney.gov.uk/wecare.”

The inspectors highlighted that people were supported by a staff team who knew them well and who treated them with respect, compassion, and kindness. The service had good links with local health and social care agencies and promoted the use of independent advocacy.

Mr Brown continued: “Inspectors also picked up on the value of the opportunity for individuals to meet in the ‘core building’ for lunch, promoting individuals' wellbeing. We are proud of the programmes that are in place at Sunnybrae including partnerships with local schools and the Befriender Service and activities with Therapet, role play, bingo and the celebrating of special events. A library and accessible hairdresser service is now available to individuals following feedback.

“Inspectors also recognised that communication within the service had improved and acknowledged that a new shift handover procedure allowing staff to share key information with each other and a change in protocols to provide staff with guidance on reporting an accident or incident and when to escalate concerns was helping to keep people safe.

“Whilst there are many positives to be taken from the latest inspection, there remains improvement work to be done and we continue on that journey.

“For example, to provide robust leadership within the service, we are reviewing management arrangements to ensure appropriate leadership and direction is available to staff in the absence of the manager.

“We are working on ensuring that appropriate levels of skilled and experienced staff are on duty as required and staff training continues.”

The full report can be accessed here: https://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/inspection-reports