Ponderosa

Updated 1 February 2022

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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the IPC practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 20 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service one days' notice of the inspection.

Updated 1 February 2022

This comprehensive inspection took place on 26 June 2018 and was unannounced, which meant nobody at the service knew we were visiting.

Ponderosa 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 can accommodate five people in one house.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At the last comprehensive inspection in April 2016, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link

for 'Ponderosa' on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.'

Ponderosa is in a rural area near Doncaster. There are local facilities and shops at the village of Askern, which is approximately three miles away. The service has its own transport to enable people to go out into the community. The home offers accommodation for up to five people aged 16 and over who have complex or challenging needs, such as autism. It specialises in supporting people who are deaf or have a profound hearing impairment. Accommodation consists of a self-contained flat and three bedrooms with en-suite facilities. There are extensive gardens that house stables, a sensory garden and a chicken run.

The service had a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. A registered manager

is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service.

There were systems and processes in place to protect people from the risk of harm. Staff we spoke with were knowledgeable about safeguarding vulnerable people and could explain the procedures they would follow should an allegation of abuse be made.

People received personalised care which was based on their individual needs. People were involved in activities of their choice and had the freedom to lead a life without restrictions.

The registered provider had a complaints procedure in place and people knew how to make a complaint. People who used the service and their relatives were aware of this procedure and on a whole felt able to discuss any concerns, however we received mixed feedback from one relative, who felt complaints could be handled better.

We saw staff enabled people who used the service to follow their preferred interests and be as independent as possible.

There were enough skilled and experienced staff available to meet people's needs and enable them to follow their hobbies and interests.

The company's recruitment system helped the employer make safe recruitment decisions when employing staff.

People received their medications in a safe and timely way, from staff that had been trained to carry out this role.

We found the service to be meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The staff we spoke with had a good understanding and knowledge of this and people who used the service had been assessed to determine if a DoLS application was required.

People were fully involved in choosing what they wanted to eat and drink. People were also involved in preparing and cooking their own meals.

Staff were trained to carry out their role and felt they had the necessary skills to do their job. Through our observations we saw staff knew people well and understood their needs.

Healthcare professionals were accessed as required.

Care records reflected people's needs and preferences, as well as any risks associated with their care. These provided staff with detailed guidance about how to support people and keep them as safe as possible. Support plans and risk assessments had been reviewed and updated regularly to ensure they were meeting each person's needs.

People had consented to their support and took part in various activities. Peoples choices were respected and they were involved in regular meetings about their home.

Staff had confidence in the management team. There were systems and processed in place to monitor, review and improve the service.