We carried out a review of the data available to us about Nyetimber Lodge 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 Nyetimber Lodge, you can give feedback on this service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider's systems for monitoring were not consistently effective in providing the registered manager with clear oversight of risks. This meant they could not be assured all risks to people were effectively and consistently managed. Following the inspection, the registered manager developed a quality assurance monitoring tool for improved oversight of identified risk to people. We could not yet be confident these improvements were firmly embedded within daily practice and sustainable.
There were enough staff to care for people safely and medicines were safely managed. People we spoke with indicated they felt safe. Staff understood the importance of monitoring incidents and accidents and there were robust systems to safeguard people from abuse. A staff member said, “The main aim is to keep people safe and report improper treatment. I haven't ever had to, but I know our processes to do this.” Safe recruitment processes were being adhered to in order to make sure staff were suitable for their roles and responsibilities. A person said, “Staff are good.” Staff followed safe procedures for prevention and control of infection.
Risks to people's health, safety and welfare were identified and addressed. Staff ensured people's needs were consistently met and assessed to enable improvements and progress in their lives. Staff received a comprehensive induction and ongoing training to enable them to support people safely. There were effective systems for communication both at the service, and with other agencies to ensure people received the care they needed. A relative said, “Staff are very attentive to any of [person’s] medical needs and are very switched-on to recognising if [person] might be unwell and always respond appropriately.”
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Support plans were comprehensive and reflected people's views, wishes and aspirations. A relative said, “[Person] especially enjoys the support [person] receives and the relationships built with the staff. We see this support is helping [person] move forward with [person’s] own skills.” People told us there were supported to communicate with their relatives and the managers when they were not happy or wanted to change their support.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
Right support:
• Model of care and setting maximises people’s choice, control and independence. People were supported to live as independently as possible at a service which encouraged and inspired people to live full lives. People's properties were respected by staff as private dwellings which enabled them to have dignity and privacy whilst receiving support. Staff supported people to make choices and to remain connected with their family, friends and the local community.
Right care:
• Care is person-centred and promotes people’s dignity, privacy and human rights. People were supported to lead full and active lives and to take part in activities that were meaningful to them. A person described staff as, “great.” Staff knew people well and we observed people treated with kindness, respect, and involved them in making decisions.
Right culture:
• Ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives. Staff described a positive culture where learning was encouraged.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
This service was registered with us on 25 November 2019 and this is the first inspection. Previously this was one of many supported living sites the provider had registered under one supported living location. The provider has now registered each site as a separate location.
Why we inspected
This was the first planned inspection for this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.