This inspection took place on the 5 and 6 February 2015 and was unannounced. At the previous inspection on 29 May 2013, we found that there were no breaches of the legal requirements.
Cedarwood Lodge provides accommodation and care for up to five people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were five people living at the service.
The service has a registered manager who was available and supported us during the inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People’s needs and wishes were understood and met by staff who had received training in communicating effectively with people. An effective system was in place to gather the views of people or involve people in the development of the service.
The provider had systems in place to make sure people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff knew how to report suspected abuse and their responsibilities for doing so.
People’s health and support needs were assessed and recorded. There were plans in place to reduce the risks identified in assessments.
People were supported by enough staff. Recruitment procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.
People were provided with a choice of healthy food and drinks to make sure their nutritional needs were met. People were supported and enabled to participate in activities of their choice.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. These safeguards protect the rights of people by ensuring if there are any restrictions to their freedom and liberty these have been authorised by the local authority as being required to protect the person from harm. We found the home to be meeting the requirements for DoLS.
People were supported in a way that promoted their dignity by being spoken to kindly and treated with respect. Staff were caring in their approach to people, giving them attention and not rushing people when supporting them.
Care plans were developed with people to identify how they wished to be supported and goals they wanted to achieve. Plans were regularly reviewed and up to date.
Staff told us they felt supported in their work and felt comfortable raising concerns with the manager or to suggest ideas for improvement. Staff said they found the registered manager to be responsive in dealing with any concerns raised and took immediate action.
The provider analysed and acted on information acquired from quality audits to monitor and improve the quality of care.