We are pleased to announce that following a first ever routine inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the Seashell Trust Health Service has been awarded an overall Outstanding rating – the highest possible rating.
Seashell’s Health Service aims to provide high quality, multi-disciplinary health care across services delivered by Seashell Trust.
The healthcare team at Seashell includes nurses and Allied Health Professionals including Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Audiologists. The nursing service employs three qualified nurses based across the educational provisions on the site. A mental health nurse is also employed to work closely with the Positive Behaviour Support Team.
“I am delighted with the outcome of our first inspection. It reflects the dedication and commitment of the whole team at Seashell who are extremely proud of the work they do to support the children and young people in our care. It is wonderful to have our exceptional level of service recognised in this way.”
Tamsin Rowbotham, Head of Health and Wellbeing at Seashell and Registered Manager for Seashell’s Health Service
The service is well established at Seashell and in 2021 was registered with the CQC, the independent regulator of health and social care in England. It is the CQC’s job to register, inspect and monitor the quality of the service. The inspection included observing therapy sessions and the administering of medicines, reviewing policies, procedures and documentation as well as speaking with staff, children and young adults who use the service and their parents and carers.
Excerpts from the Inspection Report
Patient Outcomes
Staff monitored the effectiveness of care and treatment. They used the findings to make improvements and achieved good outcomes for children and young people.
Evidence-based Care and Treatment
The service provided care and treatment based on national guidance and due to their expertise were commissioned by NHS England to produce some of the national guidance around hearing checks for special residential schools. They always used evidenced-based practice.
Compassionate Care
Staff treated children, young people and their families with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and took account of their individual needs. Staff were discreet and responsive when caring for children, young people, and their families. Staff took time to interact with children, young people, and their families in a respectful and considerate way.
Staff
Staff were experienced, qualified, and had the right skills and knowledge to meet the needs of children, young people, and their families.
Feedback from Parents and Carers
“Children, young people, and their families said staff treated them well and with kindness. Every person we spoke to told us that the service treated their loved one as an individual. They told us that staff were sensitive to the privacy and dignity of the children and young people, whilst trying to maintain a level of normality in everyday routines.”
“I honestly can’t think of anything (they could do better). They really treat him as if he can do anything and it makes him think he can do anything. They’d support him through it if he couldn’t. “
The CQC inspect a service based on 5 enquiry lines: safe; effective; caring; responsible and well led. The Seashell Trust service was rated Outstanding in all areas.
You can find a full breakdown of the report and more information on CQC inspection on the Care Quality Commission Website
Further information on our health service can be found at Therapy and nursing.
Find out more about working at Seashell at Work with Us.
