Leigham Lodge is a small residential care home for a maximum of six people with a learning disability and associated conditions, based in the London Borough of Lambeth. At the time of the inspection there were six people using the service. This unannounced inspection was carried out on 25 October 2017.
At the last inspection the service was rated Good, at this inspection we found the service remained Good, with one outstanding rating in caring.
The service did not have a registered manager in post at the time of our visit, however a manager was in post who had applied for registration and became registered on 26 October 2017. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People continued to be protected from harm and abuse as the service had robust systems in place to monitor and respond to suspected abuse. Staff received on-going training in safeguarding and were aware of the whistleblowing process to escalate their concerns.
The service had robust risk management plans in place that identified the risk and gave staff clear guidance on how to respond to the risk. Risk management plans were reviewed regularly and updates shared with staff.
People continued to receive support from sufficient numbers of staff that had gone through robust pre-employment checks to ensure their suitability to work with people. Records confirmed staffing levels were flexible and based on people’s needs.
People received their medicines in line with good practice. Records confirmed people received their medicines as prescribed and these were recorded, administered and disposed of correctly.
The service had training programmes in place that ensured people received effective care and support. Staff confirmed training met their needs and enabled them to carry out their roles and responsibilities in line with the provider’s policy.
People’s consent to care and treatment was sought by staff that had clear knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Where people were unable to give consent, the provider had taken the correct action to do so in their best interests in line with the legislation.
People continued to be supported to have sufficient amounts to eat and drink that met both their dietary needs and requirements. People who had specific dietary requirements were catered to.
Records confirmed people were supported to access healthcare professional service, to ensure their health and wellbeing was monitored and maintained. Records confirmed concerns about people’s health and wellbeing were actioned swiftly to minimise the impact on people.
People were encouraged to maintain relationships with people that were important to them. The service supported people to visit friends and relatives, and encouraged relatives to visit the service.
Staff were aware of the importance of encouraging people to express their views. People’s views were listened to and respected, and people were supported to make decisions about the care they received. People were treated with dignity and respect by staff that encouraged their privacy.
People received personalised care that met both their needs and preferences. Records confirmed people’s likes and dislikes were sought and care delivered based around their preferences. Activities provided by the service included both in-house and community based activities.
People were supported to raise concerns and complaints, the service had developed an easy read complaints procedure, to support people to understand how to raise a complaint, who to contact and what to expect.
Staff spoke positively about the manager, stating she was approachable, caring and responsive to people’s and staff’s needs.
Involvement through partnership working was sought and guidance implemented within people’s care and the service delivery.
Regular audits were undertaken to drive improvement. Audits looked at all aspects of the service and where issues were identified, action was then taken swiftly.