Avondale Lodge

Updated 8 April 2021

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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 22 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 8 April 2021

About the service

Avondale lodge care home is a residential care home. The home provides personal care for up to 12 young adults and people aged 65 and over who live with a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. The home is an adapted building over two floors, located in the centre of Redcar. At the time of the inspection 11 people were living at the home.

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, similar to most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 12 people. 11 people were using the service. This is in line with current best practice guidance. The design of the service fitted into the residential area where it was situated. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

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

People said they were happy living at the home. One person said, “I am happy here. I do like it.” We observed people moving freely within the home doing what they wanted to do. There was lots of laughter and singing. People and staff had developed good relationships with each other.

People were protected from the risks of abuse. Continued improvements were needed to the management of risk. Systems were in place to support a lesson’s learned approach, however these needed to be more formally recorded. There were enough staff on duty at all times. Good practices were in place to support people with their medicines.

Staff had the right skills and experience to look after people. A good system was in place to support new staff to get to know people. This had improved the consistency of care for people. Records to support oral health needed to be in line with national guidance. The quality of the environment had improved.

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.

Staff were able to anticipate people’s needs and were responsive when people needed extra support. Care and support was dignified. People were supported to be as independent as they wished to be. Staff supported people to develop and maintain relationships.

Care records supported the delivery of individualised care. Records for end of life wishes needed to be put in place. People were engaged in a variety of activities within the community and went for days out together. Activities within the home were limited at times. Information about how to raise a complaint was on display.

Quality assurance procedures were effective. The quality of care at the service had significantly increased. Continued improvements had taken place which had been embraced by staff. A positive culture was in place. A review of records now needed to take place to reduce the duplication of work.

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 (and update)

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (Published 11 January 2019). At this inspection we found improvements had been made

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.