Archived: The Laurels

Updated 6 October 2015

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 announced inspection took place on 18 September and was completed by one inspector. 48 hours’ notice of the inspection was given because we wanted to make sure the registered manager and staff were available.

Before the inspection we looked at information we hold about the service. This included the number and type of notifications. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

We also spoke with commissioners who contract care from the service and received information from the local authority’s Learning Disability Partnership.

Not everyone was able to speak with us. This was due to people’s complex health needs. During the inspection we spoke with six people using the service, two relatives, the service’s registered manager, one senior and three care staff.

We also observed people’s care to assist us in understanding the quality of care people received.

We looked at three people’s care records, records of meetings attended by people who used the service and staff. We looked at medicine administration records and records in relation to the management of the service such as checks on matters affecting people’s health and safety. We also looked at staff recruitment, supervision and appraisal process records, training records, and compliments and quality assurance records.

Updated 6 October 2015

The Laurels is registered to provide personal care to people living in supported living schemes and in their own home. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people using the service.

At our previous inspection on 20 June 2014 we found the provider was not meeting one of the standards that we assessed. This was in relation to supporting staff. The provider told us they would make the necessary improvements by 30 September 2014. At this inspection of 18 September 2015 we found that the necessary improvements had been made.

This announced inspection took place on 18 September 2015 and was completed by one inspector. 48 hours’ notice of the inspection was given because we wanted to make sure the manager and staff were available. We needed to be sure that they would be in.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

Staff were recruited through a robust recruitment process. This process checked to make sure that staff were suitable to work with people using the service before they commenced their employment There was a sufficient number of suitably qualified and experienced staff working at the service. Staff who were new to the service were provided with a comprehensive induction with support from experienced staff.

Staff who had been trained in medicine’s administration had their competency to do this assessed regularly. This was to help ensure they adhered to safe practice.

Staff had been trained and were knowledgeable about protecting people from harm. They had a good awareness and understanding of the correct reporting procedures.

The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. The service’s registered manager and staff were knowledgeable about when an assessment of people’s mental capacity was required. Staff were aware of the circumstances and conditions when an application to lawfully deprive any person of their liberty was required. This included liaising with the local authority.

People received dignified care that was provided with compassion and in the privacy of people’s homes. People were supported to improve their independent living skills. Staff respected people’s choices and preferences.

People were involved in the development and review of their care. Relatives, care staff, health care professionals and social workers contributed to people’s care needs. This was to help ensure that people were provided with care and support based upon the person’s latest and most up-to-date care information. People chose the format and design of their care plans.

People were supported to access a range of health care professionals including occupational therapist, a GP and speech and language therapists. Staff adhered to the advice and guidance provided by health care professionals. Risk assessments were in place to help manage each person’s assessed health risks.

People were encouraged to eat a balanced diet which was appropriate for their needs. People were supported to eat a diet appropriate to their assessed needs.

People, relatives and others involved in people’s care were encouraged to raise concerns and complaints if they wished. The provider was proactive in taking action to prevent the potential for any recurrences. Staff were aware of the correct reporting actions should they ever have a need.

The provider, registered manager and the senior care staff had audits and quality assurance processes and procedures in place. These audits were effective and identified areas for improvements.

Staff were supported with regular supervision to develop their skills, increase their knowledge and obtain additional care related and management qualifications.