New Lodge

Updated 13 December 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check 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 comprehensive inspection was carried out by two inspectors on 06 November 2018 and was unannounced.

Prior to the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This form asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We use this information to help plan our inspection.

We were unable to speak to the people who used the service as they were unable to verbally communicate, therefore, we used observation as our main tool to gather evidence of people’s experiences of the service. We spoke to two relatives who were available on the telephone. We spoke to the registered manager, the locality manager, the team leader and three care workers. We reviewed care records for two people who used the service, three staff files and records relating to the management of the service, which included audit checks that are used to monitor the quality and safety of people’s care.

Updated 13 December 2018

This inspection took place on 6 November 2018 and was unannounced.

New 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. New Lodge is registered for up to four people with either a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorders. At the time of the inspection four people were living at the service. The service was provided from a domestic-style house over two floors, each person having their own personal room. There were shared communal areas such as a lounge and dining area and kitchen and there was also a wet room on the ground floor.

At our last inspection in January 2016 we rated the service ‘good.’ At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of ‘good’, there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the ‘Registering the Right Support’ and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

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

Systems were in place to keep people safe and they were protected from abuse. People’s risks were identified and measures put into place to avoid harm, risk assessments were in place to ensure people’s safety and to support staff. Lessons were learnt as a result of incidents, accidents or feedback and improvements had taken place.

Staff had the knowledge, training and skills to effectively support people. People’s care needs were individually assessed and documented well. People were given choices and the service had made adaptations to meet people’s individual needs. The service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs). People received appropriate nutrition and hydration support to maintain their health and wellbeing. People had adequate access to health professionals. The home was appropriately adapted and decorated for people living there.

People were provided with individual care packages and regular reviews took place, involving people and their representatives. People’s interests were considered and there was a range of activities that took place within the community, promoting inclusion. People received person-centred care. People were not nearing the end of their life however consideration had been given to those who wanted to plan.

Staff knew people well and were compassionate and treated people with dignity and respect. People were given privacy at appropriate times and staff encouraged people’s independence as far as possible. People’s individual needs were considered and catered for.

We saw that the registered manager was visible and approachable in the home. They worked closely with the provider to ensure that the quality and continued improvement of the home was monitored.

Systems were in place to support practice and there was clear leadership at the service and plans in place to further improve the provision and overall experience for people who live there. The last CQC rating was being displayed and notifications were being submitted as required.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.