Background to this inspection
Updated
21 February 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
The inspection team consisted of one inspector.
Service and service type
Oakdene House 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 announced. We gave the service 24-hours’ notice of our inspection as people may be unsettled with the presence of unfamiliar faces so we gave staff time to prepare people for our visit. The inspection site visit took place on 7 January 2020.
What we did before the inspection
Before the inspection we reviewed the Provider Information Return (PIR) the registered manager had sent to us. This is information we require providers to send us at least annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the other information such as notifications we held about the service and the provider. A notification is information about important events the provider is required to send to us by law.
During the inspection
People at the service were not able to communicate their views about the care they received. 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 spoke with two support workers, the registered manager, and the area manager. We looked at two people’s care records and the medicine administration records for two people. We reviewed three staff member’s recruitment, training and supervision records. We also checked records relating to the management of the service including quality audits and health and safety management records.
After our inspection
We spoke with one relative of a person using the service to obtain their feedback.
Updated
21 February 2020
About the service
Oakdene House is a residential care home that provides accommodation and personal care support for up to six adults with learning disabilities and/ or autism. At the time of our inspection two people were using the service.
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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
We found that staff did not always follow the systems in place to safeguard people’s finances. Staff did not always update the financial records for people. Staff had been trained in safeguarding people from abuse. Staff understood the signs of abuse and how to report any concerns in line with the provider’s procedures. There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs effectively. Risks to people were assessed and managed effectively. People received their medicines as prescribed and medicines were managed safely. Health and safety of the environment was maintained and there were suitable facilities for people to use. Lessons were learned when things go wrong.
People’s care and support needs were thoroughly assessed. Support plans were person-centred and indicated how people’s needs would be met. People and their relatives were involved in planning their care and support. Staff received training, support and supervision to deliver effective care to people. People had access to a range of professionals to meet their healthcare needs and to achieve positive outcomes. People were supported to meet their nutritional and hydration needs.
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. Staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Staff understood people’s needs and treated them with respect and dignity. Staff communicated with people appropriately and supported them to express their views. People were encouraged to follow their interests and develop daily living skills. The service provided information to people in accessible formats. People’s protected characteristics were respected.
People’s relatives knew how to make a complaint if they were unhappy with the service and the registered manager addressed complaints in line with the organisation’s procedure. Regular audits, checks and reviews took place to monitor and assess the quality of service provided. The service worked in partnership with external organisations to develop and improve the service.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at last inspection and update:
The last rating for this service was Good (published 09 June 2017). At this inspection the service remained Good overall.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating of the service.
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.