Acorn Lodge - Bournemouth

Updated 30 August 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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

Acorn Lodge - Bournemouth 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 unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with a deputy manager, two care workers and the registered manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and nine medication records. We looked at one staff file in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, such as accidents, complaints and minutes of meetings.

After the inspection

The registered manager promptly forwarded details about staff training that we had requested.

Updated 30 August 2019

About the service

Acorn Lodge - Bournemouth is a care home providing personal care to nine adults with a learning disability at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to nine people.

The service was registered to support up to nine people. This is larger than current best practice guidance in relation to care homes for people with a learning disability. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building looking just like the surrounding large houses. In other respects, the service had been developed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support. This ensures 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 disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. 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.

People told us they felt safe at the service, and that staff were available when they needed them. Staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people. New staff only started work after pre-employment checks to ensure they were suitable to work in a care setting. People’s individual risks were assessed and managed in the least restrictive way possible. Medicines were stored and managed safely. The premises and equipment were kept clean and were regularly maintained.

Everyone we met was comfortable to approach staff and clearly enjoyed their company. Staff were kind and respectful, and upheld people’s privacy and dignity. They also promoted people’s independence. Most had worked at the service a long time and knew people well. They understood how people communicated and tailored their approach accordingly. People’s protected characteristics, such as religion and sexuality, were respected.

The registered manager kept up to date with current good practice and ensured staff were aware of this. People’s care was planned and delivered accordingly. People had the healthcare they needed. They had a varied diet according to their preferences and health needs. The premises were adapted for people with limited mobility. Staff were supported through training and supervision, with regular refresher training in key topics.

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.

People’s care was tailored to their individual needs and preferences. People and their relatives were involved in planning and reviewing care. People led active lives, spending time out in the community doing things they were interested in. They had got to know some of the staff in local shops and cafes. People had any support they needed to keep in touch with their families. The registered manager had responded promptly and openly to the one complaint in the past year.

The service had an open and relaxed atmosphere. The registered manager and staff had an ethos of respecting people and prioritising their needs. A person commented of the service, “It’s very well organised.” The registered manager had a good understanding of their responsibilities. They had an open-door policy and spent much of their time with people and staff. Staff told us their colleagues were supportive and worked as a team. The registered manager oversaw ongoing quality checks. Any shortfalls found were promptly addressed.

The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.

As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people. The service used some restrictive intervention practices as a last resort, in a person-centred way, in line with positive behaviour support principles.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 22 November 2016)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Acorn Lodge - Bournemouth on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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.