Background to this inspection
Updated
8 January 2020
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 Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
1 Lanark Close is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We contacted Healthwatch to gather information. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and thirteen relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, two senior support workers, three support workers and a nutrition support worker. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and two people’s medicine records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We spoke with professionals who regularly visited the service.
Updated
8 January 2020
About the service
1 Lanark Close is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 16 people living with learning disabilities. The provider is running the service as 13 bedded, providing short-breaks and a crisis bed.
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. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 16 people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area. The service is designed to give people opportunities to meet when they go on short breaks and is more like a hotel experience. Six people were using the service at the time of inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Everyone we spoke with talked very positively about the care they received from staff at 1 Lanark Close. One person told us, “I am very, very happy coming here". Comments from relatives included, “I don’t know what I would do without it” and “The staff are amazing.” Strong relationships had been formed between people and staff. People received support from a dedicated staff team. Staff put people at the heart of their work. They were caring and compassionate. The staff team was consistent and had an understanding of people's needs.
The atmosphere within the service was lively and fun. People were treated respectfully and without discrimination. Short breaks gave people chances to develop their independence as well as to have a holiday. Staff enabled people to maintain and develop their independent living skills. Relatives told us that the service gave them the opportunity to have a much needed rest from their caring roles. They said such breaks were essential not just to the well-being of the people using the service but to them as carers.
Staff knew how to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Recruitment processes reduced the risk of unsuitable candidates being employed. Risks to people were identified and staff knew the actions to take to reduce these. Medicines were managed safely.
Staff delivered care and support in a person-centred way. They had the right training and skill mix to support people effectively. They received support through supervision meetings and an annual appraisal. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People’s health needs were met. The service worked with a range of professionals to meet people’s needs
People’s care and support was based on their individual needs and preferences. They were encouraged to get involved in the activities and events that interested them. Staff actively supported people to be a part of their local community.
People and relatives told us the service was well led. The registered manager ensured people and staff were involved in the development and running of the service.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
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.
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 13 June 2017).
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.