Athorpe Lodge

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

Athorpe Lodge was consistently well managed and well-led. The registered manager and the culture they created, promoted person-centred care for people. Governance processes were effective and helped to hold staff to account, keep people safe, protect people's rights and provide good quality care and support. The registered manager was supported by a management team and they supported staff to deliver care and support that was safe, integrated and person-centred.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Staff felt the home was well managed and they told us the management team were very approachable and supportive. One staff member said, “Staff work as a team, I am supported.”

The service promoted involvement of their vision, strategy and culture through active engagement with people and staff. Staff meetings took place frequently and ensured staff and management team shared ideas, suggestions and improvements.

Staff felt supported and told us the registered manager was approachable. One staff member said, “[The unit manager] has a good relationship with the manager and helps out with the management of the home. I feel they have a good rapour with each other and manage well.”

The registered manager was supported by a team of nurses, care staff and a senior units manager. The team worked well together, and decisions made were after consultation with the rest of the staff team. The management team know their roles, responsibilities and expectations. Senior meetings were held to ensure areas for improvement were assigned to members of the team and actioned.

Staff were confident the management team would take appropriate actions to address any concerns and keep people safe.

The service had a whistleblowing policy in place which was discussed in training sessions, meetings and individual supervision sessions with staff. The policy informed staff they could raise concerns with external bodies such as CQC and the local authority to protect people and keep them safe.

Staff felt supported to develop their skills and knowledge and were offered training to help with career development. One staff member said, “I have just signed up for end-of-life training and signed up for NVQ level 5. Started to complete some notifications and staff supervision as part of my NVQ.”

The management team and provider listened to feedback from staff through various channels such as quality surveys and team meetings. This ensured the management team and provider promoted an inclusive and fair culture at Athorpe Lodge. All staff were supplied a copy of the staff handbook when they commenced their employment.

Staff felt the home was well managed and they told us the management team were very approachable and supportive. One staff member said, “Staff work as a team, I am supported.”

The registered manager routinely reviewed clinical governance including weights, falls, accident and incident, nutrition reports, unplanned hospital admissions, tissue viability, and infection control. A meeting was then held with the management team to discuss any findings and actions. We saw a range of audit were used to ensure the service maintained standards and where there were areas of improvement these were actioned. Audits included falls, mealtime, infection prevention and control, care planning, and medication management.

Relatives we spoke with were complimentary about the service and the care and support their family member received. They told us support was appropriate and that staff facilitated people to be the centre of their own care and as independent as possible. People were complimentary about the registered manager and staff team. One person said, “The manager is very nice. [Manager] is always on the units and speaking to us.” Another person said, “The manager is always in and out and definitely doesn’t just stay in the office. I think they have a good team here.” The manager is very good. They all are. Everyone is considerate and helpful.” A relative said, “I haven’t had much dealings with the actual manager but she is always pleasant when I visit. The unit manager is excellent, in fact all the team here are and the receptionist is always welcoming to everyone.”

Staff told us people were supported to engage with the local community. The home had 2 activity co-ordinators who promoted social engagement. People were supported to access a local coffee and bingo for the local community, a church service took place monthly at the home, and people were supported on many outings to various place of interest.

Partners working within the home and externally were positive about the working relationship they had. Partners told us they received good clear information from the home that supported them in their role. Staff told us partners were informative and gave clear information about how to support people and their therapy plan.

The service facilitated and promoted community involvement. Care plans showed people were referred to appropriate professionals as required. On the day of our assessment site visit we saw people enjoyed an outing to the local pub for lunch. The service worked well with partner agencies. Systems in place were effective and promoted continuation of care when people moved from the home to a different service or back home.

The registered manager told us they took every opportunity to learn and develop the service. The registered manager said, “The management team are constantly looking for areas to improve.”

The registered manager kept a record of complaints and could demonstrate actions taken to achieve a positive outcome. The management team used this process to learn lessons and develop the service. An external auditor carried out a review of the service periodically. Any actions identified were completed in a timely way. The home had a refurbishment programme in place to ensure the home was maintained to a good standard.