The Lustrells

Updated 28 March 2020

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:

The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Service and service type:

27 The Lustrells 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.

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.

Notice of inspection:

This inspection was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before inspection:

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection:

We were not always able to communicate with people, so we spent time observing the interactions between people and staff, in public areas of the service, in order to help us understand their experiences. We requested feedback from three relatives and spoke to four members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff training. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection:

We received some concerns which we followed up with the registered manager and the local authority to seek assurances. We were not able to find any evidence to substantiate the concerns raised.

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 28 March 2020

About the service:

27 The Lustrells is a small home care home registered to provide accommodation, care and support for up to four younger adults with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The service is a detached split-level bungalow with two floors and a garden. It is situated in a residential area, near to the local shops. At the time of inspection there were three people living at the home.

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 and physical 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.

People’s experience of using this service:

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

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.

Systems supported people to stay safe and reduce the risks to them. Staff knew how to recognise signs of abuse and what action to take to keep people safe. There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Medicines were managed safely, and staff had been trained in infection prevention and control.

People were supported to maintain their health and had support to access health care services when they needed to. People were supported to have 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 treated with kindness and we observed friendly interactions throughout the day. Staff knew people well and tailored their support accordingly. Staff had a good understanding of the care and support needs of people and had developed positive relationships with them. People were supported to live as independently as possible and told us their needs were met. Activities took place on a daily basis and people were encouraged to participate if they wanted to.

The registered manager had created an open and positive culture and staff knew people well. Staff felt well supported and the home had a welcoming atmosphere. People were fully involved in the service. Feedback about the registered manager was very positive. Staff were motivated and very proud of the service. Systems were in place to monitor the service and drive improvement. One relative told us the service was, “Well managed, relaxed, responsive and adaptable.”

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection: Good (report published on 17 August 2017).

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor the intelligence we receive about this home and plan to inspect in line with our re-inspection schedule for those services rated Good.