Archived: The Laurels

Updated 19 August 2016

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

The inspection was unannounced and was carried out on 22 July 2016 by two inspectors. 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 the improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the information in the PIR, along with other information that we held about the service including previous inspection reports and notifications. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

We spoke with one person using the service and engaged with three others, who communicated with us verbally in a limited way. We also received feedback from three health professionals. We observed care and support being delivered in communal areas of the home. We spoke with three members of the care staff, the deputy manager and the registered manager.

We looked at care plans and associated records for the five people using the service. We also reviewed records about how the service was managed, including staff duty records, staff training, records of complaints, accidents and incidents, policies and procedures and quality assurance records.

This is the first inspection since the home was registered with the commission in June 2013.

Updated 19 August 2016

The Laurels is a local authority run residential home, which provides accommodation for up to six people with learning disabilities who need support with their personal care. At the time of our inspection there were five people living in the home

The inspection was unannounced and was carried out on 22 July 2016.

There was a registered manager in place at the home. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the home. 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 home is run.

People were supported to have enough to eat and mealtimes were a social event. Staff supported people, when necessary in a patient and friendly manner. However, there was an inflexible approach to the provision of drinks, which did not take account of personal choice and weather conditions. We have recommended that the provider seek advice and guidance on adopting the latest best practice in respect of a person centred approach to meeting people’s hydration needs.

Staff were responsive to people’s communication styles and gave people information and choices in ways that they could understand. They were patient when engaging with people who could not communicate verbally and who used a variety of signs, sounds and body language to express themselves. Staff were able to understand people and respond to what was being said.

People told us and indicated that they felt the home was safe. Staff and the registered manager had received safeguarding training. They were able to demonstrate an understanding of the provider’s safeguarding policy and explain the action they would take if they identified any concerns.

The risks relating to people’s health and welfare were assessed and these were recorded along with actions identified to reduce those risks in the least restrictive way. They were personalised and provided sufficient information to allow staff to protect people whilst promoting their independence.

People were supported by staff who had received an induction into the home and appropriate training, professional development and supervision to enable them to meet people’s individual needs. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and to enable them to engage with people in a relaxed and unhurried manner.

There were suitable systems in place to ensure the safe storage and administration of medicines. Medicines were administered by staff who had received appropriate training and assessments.

Staff followed legislation designed to protect people’s rights and ensure decisions were the least restrictive option and made in their best interests.

Staff developed caring and positive relationships with people and were sensitive to their individual choices and treated them with dignity and respect. People were encouraged to maintain relationships that were important to them.

Healthcare professionals, such as chiropodists, opticians, GPs and dentists were involved in people’s care when necessary. They were also encouraged to provide feedback on the service.

There was an opportunity for families to become involved in developing the service and were encouraged to provide feedback on the service through an annual questionnaire.

People were supported to raise concerns and complaints should they wish to and were supported to do so by keyworkers and advocates.

People’s families told us they felt the home was well-led and were positive about the registered manager, who understood the responsibilities of their role. Staff were aware of the provider’s vision and values, how they related to their work and spoke positively about the culture and management of the home.

There were systems in place to monitor quality and safety of the service provided.