Archived: West Lodge

Updated 5 January 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.

This inspection took place on 6 and 14 November 2017 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location was a small service for people who are often out during the day; we needed to be sure that someone would be in. On the 6 November the inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector and an expert by experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. On 6 and 14 November the expert by experience contacted relatives by telephone.

We reviewed other information we held about the service, including any statutory notifications we had received from the provider. Notifications are changes, events or incidents that the provider is legally obliged to send us within the required timescale. Before the inspection, we also contacted the local authority commissioners for the service and the local authority safeguarding team to gain their views of the service provided.

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 looked at two care records for people who used the service. We examined four sets of staff files which covered recruitment, supervision and training records and various records about how the service was managed.

We spoke to five people who used the service, two relatives, registered manager, and four staff members.

Updated 5 January 2018

This inspection took place on 6 and 14 November 2017 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location was a small service for people who are often out during the day; we needed to be sure that someone would be in. West 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. West Lodge accommodates 6 people in one building.

The service had 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.

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.

At the last inspection in August 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People told us they were happy living at West Lodge. The service had a happy and relaxed atmosphere. Sufficient experienced and trained staff were deployed to ensure people’s needs were met. Staff were knowledgeable about the people they supported, their likes and dislikes and interests. Appropriate arrangements were in place for the safe administration and storage of medicines.

People were protected from abuse and harm. The provider had a safeguarding campaign called 'Speak Out' to promote and encourage staff, people using the service and relatives to tell someone if they had any concerns. An effective recruitment and selection process was in place. The provider carried out monthly health and safety checks to ensure people lived in a safe environment.

Training was up to date and staff received support via supervision and appraisal. Relatives and people were involved in the planning of their care. Information was provided in easy read format to assist people in understanding the care available to them. The provider had an effective complaints procedure in place and people who used the service and relatives were aware of how to make a complaint.

People had 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.

People were supported in maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. People were involved in the preparation of meals. People were supported to maintain good health and had access to health and social external professionals.

Activities were developed around people’s interests. People were supported to maintain relationships, access the local community and go on holidays.

Staff were compassionate and kind. An experienced registered manager was in place and understood the importance of monitoring the quality of the service and reviewing systems to identify any lessons learnt. The service regularly consulted with people, relatives and staff to capture their views about the service.