The Oaks

Updated 11 August 2021

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

The Oaks is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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. 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service, and one relative over the telephone about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, acting assistant manager, team leaders, support workers and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. Additionally, we contacted a health professional who regularly visits the service and received feedback via email.

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

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data, quality assurance records and policies and procedures. In addition, we also attempted contact with another health professional who has regular contact with the service.

Updated 11 August 2021

About the service

The Oaks is a residential care home providing personal care to adults who have learning disabilities and complex needs, including behaviours that may challenge, autism and other associated issues. The main home has accommodation for up to six people and the separate ground floor apartment with its own facilities accommodates two people. There were eight people using the service at the time of our inspection.

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

We observed positive interactions between people and staff. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. Staff had a good understanding about safeguarding and were passionate about safeguarding people from the risk of abuse.

People received care and support from staff that were recruited safely and had received training. People received their medicines as prescribed. The registered manager and staff worked with and sought external healthcare professional support when required.

We observed staff wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in line with current guidance.

Staff told us they were able to debrief following any incidents. The management team reviewed any accidents and incidents ensuring any lessons learnt were acted on and shared with the staff team.

Quality assurance audits were in place. Regular audits were carried out to ensure good standards were maintained, and where improvements were needed, these were actioned. The service was currently undertaking some environment work.

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.

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. The Model of care and setting maximises people’s choice, control and independence. Care is person-centred and promotes people’s dignity, privacy and human rights. The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.

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 the service under the previous provider was good, (published on 02 March 2018).

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to the health and safety of the people living at the home. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.

We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

The overall rating for the service has not changed. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for The Oaks 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.