19 August 2015
During a routine inspection
This inspection took place on 19 August 2015 and was unannounced. The previous inspection of Cypress Lodge was on 10 October 2013. There were no breaches of the legal requirements at that time.
There was a registered manager in post. 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.
Cypress Lodge provides care and accommodation for up to 10 people with a learning disability. There was a main house with accommodation for six people. A smaller property in the grounds, known as Willow Cottage, had places for four people.
People received a service that was safe. Risks to people were assessed and plans put in place to reduce these. Checks were carried out on staff to confirm they were safe to be working with people at the home.
Staff received training and support which helped them to do their jobs well. People’s rights were protected because staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff supported people in ways which promoted their independence.
People spoke positively about Cypress Lodge and their relationships with the staff. One person told us “I enjoy living here, the staff help me with things”. A staff member commented “It’s important to remember that this is people’s own home”.
Staff helped people to maintain good health and advised people about healthy eating. People took part in activities they enjoyed and went out into the local community. Meetings were arranged when people could talk about the day to day arrangements and discuss any concerns.
Overall, people benefited from a well run home. There were systems in place for monitoring the service and for identifying where improvements could be made.