Stone Cottage

Updated 29 September 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Stone Cottage is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Stone Cottage is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

We gave a short period notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

Inspection activity started on 12 July 2023 and ended on 27 July 2023. We visited the location’s service on 12 and 18 July 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We observed interactions and responses with 2 people who used the service and spoke with 2 relatives of people using the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 3 care workers, the home manager, the registered manager and the nominated individual for the service. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

Updated 29 September 2023

Stone Cottage is a residential care home providing accommodation and care for up to 5 people. The service provides support to people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection there were 4 people using the service.

The care home accommodates 4 people in one building. People have their own bedrooms and bathrooms and there is a communal lounge and dining room. There is a communal garden and parking for people’s cars. The model of care is based on the Rudolf Steiner principles of providing a spiritually oriented community, supporting people with learning disabilities to continually develop, regardless of disability.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

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

Right Support:

Risks were assessed and measures in place to mitigate risk were documented for staff guidance, where further information was required this was added promptly to further mitigate risk. Medicines were managed safely. Staff understood the signs of abuse and how to report it to protect people. Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored for trends and patterns.

Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff to meet people’s holistic needs.

People were protected from the risk of infection, staff had access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and were following the latest government guidance.

People were leading their care and making their own decisions and choices in their day to day care delivery as much as possible, independence was well supported. People were supported by a regular team of staff that knew them well and they were relaxed and comfortable in their company.

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.

Right Care:

Staff received regular training and supervision, they had the skills, knowledge and support to carry out their role effectively.

Initial assessments took place to ensure that the service could meet people’s needs. People and their relatives were involved in care planning and care plans provided staff with information and guidance on how to support people as per their preferences, safely and in a person centred way. Information was provided in formats that met people’s needs such as, pictorial and easy read. People's records were updated following changes in support needs.

There was evidence of partnership working and seeking guidance from other health care professionals to meet people’s needs. The provider and the management and care team had a good understanding of the challenges faced by people with learning disabilities in accessing healthcare services and had measures in place to support people. People were supported to be as independent as possible with eating and drinking, peoples individualised dietary requirements were met.

People’s religion and culture was respected, people chose to take part in celebrating religious festivals and were supported to attend religious services as and when they wished.

Right Culture:

Systems and processes were effective in maintaining oversight of the safety and quality of the service. The provider sought regular feedback and there was an open and transparent culture. People their relatives and staff had the opportunity to share ideas and felt listened to. The provider ensured regular updates about changes in the service via newsletters.

People were empowered to play active parts in the operation of the home and enjoy the local community. People were well supported to develop and maintain relationships and friendships. Activities were person centred and focused on peoples interests and preferences.

The provider invested time and resources into staff development and wellbeing to ensure a good quality service and good outcomes for people.

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

Rating at last inspection The last rating for this service was outstanding (published 26 January 2018).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about restrictions on people using the service. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Stone Cottage on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.