6 November 2019
During a routine inspection
Dimensions Loddon Court 289 Wokingham Road is a care home which provides respite accommodation and personal care. People who use the service have learning disabilities or autism, and the length of their stay varies, from 24 hour periods to several months. The service also supports people who are transitioning from other care homes to independent living in the community. The care home can support eight people. At the time of our inspection, three people received respite care.
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
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.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
People received safe care. Any risks to them were assessed, documented and mitigated to protect people from avoidable harm. A relative stated, “[The person] presents with challenging behaviour and can become anxious and aggressive and I am always informed if he has any anxious moments in his stay. It is written in his communication book for me and I am told upon collection. The environment is safe for [the person’s needs…”
The service’s bathrooms required maintenance to ensure people’s needs were met. One bathroom was out of use entirely. The other bathroom’s temperature was exceeded safe levels and meant for people whose preference was a bath, they were restricted from taking a bath. Instead, they were offered washes in their room to ensure cleanliness. The registered manager and provider had attempted to have these issues rectified with the landlord, but without success. After our site visit, the ventilation system was repaired which ensured people were safe and the bathroom could be used again.
Staff were knowledgeable and skilled. They were competently able to provide the support people required. A community nurse said, “[This is] a valid service for the individuals we support to access. As a member of the local community team, I am happy with the excellent communication between us and they never hesitate to contact us for advice and support. I also know and support a number of individuals who have accessed this service and they are also very happy with the support they receive.”
We observed people’s support was very caring. Relatives, commissioners and professionals described the service as caring and staff as kind. We received comments from a social worker who wrote, “I have heard very positive feedback from service users and parents regarding their care. The other service users, all with complex needs are very satisfied with the service and enjoy going for respite.”
People’s care was specifically tailored to their individual needs. A dietitian told us, “I have found the care staff offering dignified and individualised care. Staff respond to health needs quickly and work with health care staff in [my team]. I have no concerns regarding the safety or care of clients in their care.”
The service was well-managed. There was a positive workplace culture. The registered manager ensured audits and checks were completed regularly to ensure the safety and quality of people’s care. The local authority commented, “The [registered] manager…communicates regularly with us and always follows up promptly and thoroughly on any concerns.”
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 24 May 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.