Laverneo

Updated 25 June 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team: One inspector completed the inspection.

Service and service type: Laverneo 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. Laverneo accommodates four people in one purpose built bungalow.

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: The inspection was announced.

What we did: Before our inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service, including notification of changes, events or incidents that the provider is legally obliged to send us within the required timescales. We contacted professionals in local authority commissioning teams, safeguarding teams and Healthwatch. Healthwatch are a consumer group who champion the rights of people using healthcare services. We telephoned four relatives and asked them for their opinions.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We spent time speaking with the four people who used the service, one visiting relative, and observing interactions between staff and people who used the service. We spoke with three members of staff: the registered manager and two support staff.

We looked at two people's care plans, risk assessments and medicines records. We reviewed staff training information, quality assurance systems, a selection of the home's policies and procedures, meeting minutes and maintenance records. Following the inspection we spoke with three health and social care professionals.

Updated 25 June 2019

About the service: Laverneo provides personal care and support for up to four people who have a learning disability, in one purpose built bungalow. The service was full at the time of our inspection.

People’s experience of using this service: The standard of care was outstanding. The culture was completely inclusive and focussed on people’s needs, preferences and aspirations. Staff and the registered manager, who had all been at the service for several years, cared passionately about their roles and people receiving the best health and wellbeing outcomes. They ensured people experienced exceptional outcomes and felt completely at home, at ease and integral to the home.

The registered manager utilised a range of current best practice to have an extremely positive impact on people’s wellbeing and to ensure their care was exceptionally well planned and delivered.

Feedback from people, their relatives and a range of external professionals was outstanding regarding the continuity of care and the compassionate and sensitive approach of staff. Staff consistently went above and beyond their role to ensure people were well supported. People had formed extremely strong bonds with staff members they knew well and this led to a great sense of belonging and homeliness. All people we spoke with and their relatives agreed the relationships, whilst professional, were also friendships. Staff displayed affection towards people.

There was a creative and proactive approach to healthy eating.

The registered manager had ensured the change of provider had not impacted on people’s day to day experience of care and support, which was outstanding. They managed the service well. They were supported by a team of extremely dedicated staff, all of whom had been at the service for several years. People spoke highly of the registered manager, as did staff.

Regular meetings were held with staff and people who used the service. These meetings were an opportunity to openly discuss a wide range of topics. People who used the service and staff confirmed they could raise queries or suggestions in a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.

Good community links were in place and people felt a part of their community. People were encouraged to try new activities and make new friendships.

Records were accurate, up to date and person-centred. Clear systems were in place for the review and audit of all aspects of the service.

People’s capacity was assumed and staff acted in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. 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. Appropriate training was in place.

The registered manager had been in post for several years and demonstrated an excellent knowledge of the needs people. Relatives and external professionals spoke of their confidence in the registered manager and staff team.

Turnover of staff remained low and staff morale was high.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support in the following ways: promotion of choice and control, independence, inclusion and involvement were all championed by staff and the registered manager. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

The new provider had introduced a range of new procedures and meetings the registered manager found beneficial. They hoped this would continue and lead to closer links with the provider’s other services and registered managers.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection: This is the first time we have rated the service.

Why we inspected: We inspected the service in line with our scheduled programme of inspections.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.