Cheddle Lodge

Updated 3 December 2020

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 17 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 3 December 2020

Cheddle Lodge is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 13 people with learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection there were 13 people using the service.

The service has been developed and designed 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.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 13 people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by how the service was organised and how people were supported. People using the service received planned and co-ordinated person-centred support which was appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were 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 policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

The home was clean and free from malodours. Risks were well managed and health and safety checks in the home had been carried out. There was a programme of regular maintenance to the building and servicing of equipment. Staff were aware of their responsibilities in safeguarding people from abuse. Medicines were managed safely. Safe systems of recruitment were in place.

There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and staff received the induction, training and support they needed to carry out their roles. People's nutritional and health needs were met.

Staff knew people well and took a pride in providing kind and caring support. People’s individual communication styles were valued by staff. People had access to independent advocates. People’s preferences and routines were respected. Records gave detailed descriptions of how people liked their support provided.

Care records were person centred, reviewed regularly and updated when people’s needs changed. People took part in a wide range of activities that were based on their interests and hobbies.

There were good systems of quality assurance checks and audits. Everyone was positive about the registered manager and the way the service was run. The provider had notified the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of significant events such as safeguarding concerns.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection (and update)

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 16 October 2018) and there were four breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of those regulations.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.