Cosy Lodge

Updated 14 September 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:

Cosy Lodge is a 'care home' for people living with autism and learning disabilities. 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.

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 15 August 2019 and ended on 15 August 2019.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included information received from the provider about deprivation of liberty applications and their outcomes and other events which they are required to send to us by law. We used information the provider sent to us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once a year to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During our inspection visit we spoke with one person. Some people living at the home, due to their complex care needs and disabilities were unable to give us their feedback. We spent time with people to see how staff supported them. We also spoke with two care staff, a senior carer deputy and the registered manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records and medicine records, training and supervision records and records relating to the quality monitoring and management of the service.

After the inspection

We spoke with two relatives by telephone.

Updated 14 September 2019

Cosy Lodge is a 'care home' and is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for a maximum of seven people. The service is located on two floors. Each person had their own individual bedroom. The service had a communal lounge, kitchen and dining room where people could spend time together.

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.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent

People's experience of using this service:

People and their relatives were placed at the heart of the service and were involved in choosing their care and support in the way they preferred. People benefitted from caring, dedicated staff who treated people with respect and dignity. The staff team promoted people's dignity and prevented people from becoming socially isolated within the service and in the community. People took part in range of activities which they were involved in choosing and enjoyed.

Not all people living at Cosy Lodge were able to verbally express their views to us, but we observed they looked comfortable and at ease with staff. Their non-verbal language, body language, facial expressions and laughter indicated they were happy. Staff knew people well and were alert to signs of change which may indicate someone was not happy. When people were unwell or needed extra support, they were referred to health care professionals and other external agencies.

People were supported to have choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the procedures in the service supported this practice. People were supported to maintain good health and to meet their nutritional needs. People's medicines were managed safely.

Risks to people’s health, safety and well-being were assessed, and action was taken to remove or reduce the risks. People were safe and protected from avoidable harm because staff knew how to identify and report any concerns relating to the risk of abuse. People indicated they felt safe with the staff.

People received kind, responsive person-centred care from staff who were well trained, motivated and supported by a registered manager who led the staff team to provide the best care they could. People were supported by enough staff who had been recruited safely.

Cosy Lodge was hygienically clean, and staff had received training in infection control practices and personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons was provided for them. The provider took appropriate actions following any incidents and learning was shared with staff to prevent reoccurrence

Relatives and staff members spoke highly of the registered manager and told us that they were always available and supportive. They said the registered manager was approachable and sorted out any issues they had. Staff knew their roles and were able to tell us about the values and the vision of the service. There were adequate quality assurance measures in place.

People's relatives told us they would be confident to raise any concerns with the registered manager and felt confident that they would be listened to. People were satisfied and happy with the care and support they received.

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection the service was rated Good. (Published 29 December 2016)

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

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.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Cosy Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.