Holly Lodge

Updated 30 December 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector, a specialist advisor who was a nurse experienced in working with people who have a learning disability and 2 Experts by Experience, 1 supported on site and the second contacted relatives for feedback following our inspection. 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

Holly Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Holly Lodge is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

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 used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, deputy regional director, 3 support workers, 1 relative and 5 residents. We reviewed records including 6 care records, premises health and safety records, 2 recruitment records and management audits. We spent time observing people in their home as not everyone was able to speak with us and give their feedback. After the inspection we contacted relatives of people living at Holly Lodge for feedback about the service.

Updated 30 December 2022

About the service

Holly Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 11 people. The service provides support to younger adults who have a learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder or mental health conditions. At the time of our inspection there were 7 people using the service.

The service was provided in a main house providing accommodation over 2 floors and 3 annexes located in the rear garden of the premises. These had been developed into 1 bedroom accommodation’s with living areas, bathrooms and kitchenettes. People living in the annexes could access the main premises for meals or could live more independently in their own space.

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

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

Right Support: Peoples support was centred around them and staff supported them to be as independent as possible and lead fulfilling lives. Staff supported people to make choices and had received training in communication methods to ensure people were understood.

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.

Right Care: Staff knew people well and used social stories to support them through difficult situations. Staff completed training including bespoke training designed around the people using the service. Consideration was given to risks and people were supported in a safe way to access the community and participate in a wide range of activities. Staff were empathetic and showed care and support when people were in crisis.

Right Culture: The management team lead by example and worked alongside support staff as needed. They had developed a culture fully focussed on people and the environment reflected this. There were photos of people enjoying activities throughout the premises. People were spoken with as equals and were supported to enjoy a wide range of experiences.

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 good (published 27 November 2018).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about people’s well-being and staff conduct. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

The overall rating for the service has remained the same based on the findings of this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Holly Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.