Linsell House

Updated 28 March 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type:

Linsell House 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.

Notice of inspection:

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection site visit activity started on 4 March 2019 and ended on 4 March 2019.

What we did:

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. The provider returned the PIR and we took this into account when we made judgements in this report. We reviewed other information that we held about the service such as notifications. These are events that happen in the service that the provider is required to tell us about. We also considered the last inspection report and information that had been sent to us by other agencies. We also contacted commissioners who had a contract with the service.

Many of the people using this service were not able to verbally communicate with us, However, we were able to meet several people and speak briefly with one person. We observed staff interacting with people, providing care and activities. We also spoke with one relative of a person who used the service, two staff members, the respite manager, the cook, and the registered manager.

We looked at the care records of two people who used the service, and we undertook a tour of the premises. We also examined records in relation to the management of the service such as staff recruitment files, quality assurance checks, staff training and supervision records, safeguarding information and accidents and incident information.

Updated 28 March 2019

About the service: Linsell House is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 16 people with learning disabilities. Linsell house also provides regular respite care for people. At the time of inspection, 12 people were living at the service, and another 4 people were using the respite service. The care service has not originally 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. However, people using the service were supported to be as independent as they could be, and regularly access the community.

People’s experience of using this service:

• People received safe care. Staff understood safeguarding procedures.

• Risk assessments were in place to manage risks within people’s lives.

• Staff recruitment procedures ensured that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out.

• Medicines were stored and administered safely.

• Staffing support matched the level of assessed needs within the service during our inspection.

• Staff were trained to support people effectively.

• Staff were supervised well and felt confident in their roles.

• People were supported to have a varied diet.

• Healthcare needs were met, and people had access to health professionals as required.

• People's consent was gained before any care was provided, and they were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives.

• Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them.

• People were supported in the least restrictive way possible.

• Care plans reflected people likes dislikes and preferences.

• People were able to take part in a range of activities and outings.

• People and their families were involved in care planning as much as was possible.

• A complaints system was in place and was used effectively.

• The registered manager was open and honest, and worked in partnership with outside agencies to improve people’s support when required.

• Audits of the service were detailed and robust, and any issues found were addressed promptly.

• The service had a registered manager in place, and staff felt well supported by them.

Rating at last inspection: Good (report published 18/08/2016).`

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The service remained rated Good overall.

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.