Walford Lodge

Updated 8 October 2019

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 was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Walford Lodge 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 unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since they became registered with the commission. 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. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service however due to people’s limited communication skills we spent greater time observing people’s interactions with the staff team and their engagement with the activities being presented to them. We spoke with one relative and six members of staff including the head of care and support, registered manager, care workers, head of domestic services and the quality lead for the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality audits, maintenance records, handover sheets and the training matrix.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and accident and incident analysis.

Updated 8 October 2019

About the service

Walford Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care to six people with learning disabilities under the age of 65. The service can support up to a maximum of six people.

The home is split over two levels with bedrooms situated on both the ground and first floor. People have access to ensuite toilets and shared communal bathrooms. People were able to move around the home freely and have access to outside space. The home is located close to local amenities and has accessible transport to support people to attend college placements and activities outside of the local area.

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

The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.

As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people. The service used some restrictive intervention practices as a last resort, in a person-centred way, in line with positive behaviour support principles.

People were safeguarded from harm by staff who had received the relevant training. Risks to people’s safety were assessed and clear guidance was in place to explain to staff how to mitigate any known risk. People were supported by staff who had been recruited following safe recruitment procedures. People received their medicine on time and were protected from the risk of infection. Accident and incident forms were completed, and lessons were learnt when things went wrong.

People’s care needs were assessed, and staff received training that enabled them to meet people’s needs. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and had access to fluids and snacks. Systems were in place to ensure information was shared when necessary. For example, when accessing health care. The building was adapted to meet people’s needs and people had access to outside space.

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 were treated with kindness and supported to express their opinion wherever possible. People’s dignity was protected, and people were encouraged to maintain develop their independence.

People’s care was personalised to their individual needs and people had access to activities they were known to enjoy. Staff used alternative means of communication such as photographs to assist people in the exchange of information. People were supported to maintain relationships and attend family events. A complaints procedure was in place. No one was in receipt of end of life care however advance decisions were in place for some people.

People were supported by a staff team who worked well together and felt supported. Staff were open and honest when something went wrong. Regular audits were in place and monitored to ensure people received a good service. Staff attended regular team meetings and updated families of up and coming events via a newsletter. Staff were supported to maintain up to date knowledge and the provider worked in partnership with other agencies.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 26 August 2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection in line with our methodology.

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.