We carried out a review of the data available to us about Dolphin Lane on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Dolphin Lane, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
• Visitors had to sign a COVID-19 risk assessment and declaration before entering the building and had their
temperature checked on entry.
• The home completed PPE competency checks on all staff to ensure they were competent in donning and
doffing PPE.
• There was easy read information prominently displayed which had been written to help explain the most recent lockdown and what it meant for people living at the service.
• Staff used easy read materials and meetings to discuss COVID-19 and reduce anxieties around COVID-19,
with people who used the service.
Dolphin Lane is a ‘care home’ registered to provide care for people with learning disabilities. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Dolphin Lane accommodates up to 15 people in one adapted building.
The care service was developed and designed many years ago, and in the main the provider ensured the service operated 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 a learning disability and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. Although the service did not meet these principles in terms of the number of people it accommodated, this was mitigated by the fact that there was a vision for the long term development of the service.
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.
People were supported by staff to lead fulfilling lives, ranging from gaining education and employment to achieving their ‘hopes and dreams’. The service went the ‘extra mile’ to ensure that people were able to engage with their hobbies and interests as much as possible.
The service had made extensive efforts to integrate the service with the local community, this included charity events designed and chosen by people to give back to the community, engaging with local councillors and ministers and giving people encouragement to speak up about how local services could improve the lives of people with learning disabilities.
We saw how staff went ‘above and beyond’ in caring for people at the end of their lives. People received highly person- centred care. Care plans were designed and reviewed in partnership with people, with outcome-focused goals. The service was able to evidence how it had helped people learn new skills and form and maintain meaningful relationships.
There were enough staff who had been recruited safely to deliver care. There was a consistent care team, and each person had a named keyworker. This ensured good continuity of care.
People were supported to maintain good health. This included access to healthcare professionals, eating and drinking enough, and support with their medicines. People were supported to take their medicines safely.
Staff were skilled enough to meet people’s needs. Staff were supported through regular supervisions and appraisals. Staff spoke very positively about the leadership and the open and positive culture of the service, and felt well supported by the registered manager
Everyone we spoke with told us staff were kind, caring and compassionate. Staff supported people to maintain independent lives, and people told us their privacy and dignity was protected.
There were appropriate governance systems in place to ensure quality of care was monitored and improved. The service was a high performer within the provider’s network of services both in terms of training levels and staff survey feedback. There was a clear vision for the future development of the service.
The service engaged positively with people using the service and took their ideas into account. People felt they were listened to and their contributions were valued. People were proud of the service and helped maintain it by cleaning and tidying communal areas.
This was an unannounced inspection carried out on the 3 December 2015. At the last inspection in October 2013 we found the provider met the regulations we looked at.
Dolphin Lane is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 15 people who have a learning disability. The home has a kitchen, dining area and lounge. The home has en suite facilities in all rooms and two self-contained flats. The home has a small garden area and is within easy walking distance of the local amenities.
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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager was on planned absence from the service at the time of the inspection and the provider had appointed an acting manager.
There was a very person centred approach and culture in the service. It was clear the service was tailored to meet individual needs and support people to achieve their dreams, aspirations, hopes and ambitions. People participated in a range of activities both in the home and community, this included paid employment and voluntary work.
People were very happy living at the home and felt well cared for. People’s support plans contained sufficient and relevant information to provide consistent, care and support. People who used the service had positive relationships with staff. It was clear staff knew people and their needs well.
People told us they felt safe at the service. Staff showed a good understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults and knew what to do to keep people safe from harm while also encouraging and supporting people’s independence. Staff and the acting manager demonstrated a good understanding of risk management and how this was used to maximise people’s potential and independence skills.
Overall, people were protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines safely.
There were enough staff to support people and keep people safe. Staff training and support provided staff with the knowledge and skills to support people well. Robust recruitment and selection procedures were in place to make sure suitable staff worked with people who used the service.
There were policies and procedures in place in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. Staff were trained in the principles of the MCA and could describe how people were supported to make decisions; and where people did not have the capacity; decisions were made in their best interests.
Health, care and support needs were assessed and met by regular contact with health professionals. People were supported by staff who treated them with kindness and were respectful of their privacy and dignity.
Staff were aware of how to support people to raise concerns and complaints and there were effective systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service; which included seeking and acting on feedback received from people who used the service.
We spoke to six people who used the service and one visitor. People who used the service said they were given choices about how they spent their days. One person said " You can do what you want here, I have my own key to my room'. Another person said ' I go out to the shops when I want. It's a nice place to live I've been here two years'. All of the people we spoke to, and the visitor, spoke highly of the staff.
People said they were happy with the care they received and that the staff were very nice. One person said ' I like it here I'm with my mates', another said ' Yes its very nice here. I go out to see my friend'.
We spoke to one visitor who said that he had no complaints. He said' I think he is well protected here and he seems happy'.
All of the staff we spoke to during our visit were familiar with safeguarding procedures. All staff members said they would report any abuse to the manager or the deputy manager. They said they found them both to be very supportive.
Care records had documentation on Being Safe a document which helped assess peoples risk in relation to travelling on public transport, road safety, working in the kitchen and gardening.
Staff received appropriate professional development. This was identified through their supervision and appraisal. There was evidence of regular supervision where training needs were identified.
The home carried out monthly 'Your Voice' meetings with people who lived in the home and the minutes from September 2013 identified that people were asked about college courses they would like to attend, who would like to join the health and safety committee and other information on social activities. People were asked if they were happy with the menu and one person said 'It's good that we can pick what we have for tea and have our favourite meals'.
Two people we spoke with told us they had jobs which helped them to remain independent. People said they liked the staff. People told us they had a regular one to one with their key worker and could input into their care record.
People we spoke with told us they had a choice of food. One person said; 'I like the food.' Another person told us; 'I can choose what I want to eat.'
Two people we asked both with told us they felt 'safe' living at Dolphin Lane. We asked two people what they would do if they didn't like something that was happening at the home; both people knew to speak to the manager or deputy manager.