We undertook this inspection on 29 January and 2 February 2015 and the inspection was unannounced, which meant the registered provider did not know we would be visiting the service.
The service was last inspected on 10 May 2013 and was meeting all the regulations assessed during the inspection.
The registered provider is required to have a registered manager in post and on the day of the visit inspection there was a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC); they had been registered since October 2010. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care quality Commission to manage the service and ha legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the registered provider.
Lincolnshire House is a registered charity based in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, providing accommodation and personal care for up to 37 adult with physical disabilities and related conditions. The service provides residential, day and respite care services for adults with physical disabilities.
Accommodation is provided in five purpose built fully equipped bungalows, with adapted kitchens, dining rooms, lounges and bathrooms. Adaptations include overhead tracking, portable hoists, adapted bathing and showering facilities, adapted bathroom lighting, automatic key coded entrance doors and wide door access. Day services are provided in an independent fully adapted day service facility, based in the grounds of the service.
The philosophy of the service is to empower people with disabilities and this is achieved by personalised programmes of care and flexible staffing to enable people to be as independent as possible in all aspects of their lives.
People told us they felt included in decisions and discussions about their care and treatment. Staff described working together as a team to enable people to be as independent as possible.
People lived in a safe, clean odour free environment. Staff knew how to protect people from abuse and they ensured equipment used in the service was regularly checked and maintained. Staff made sure risk assessments were carried out and took steps to minimise risks without taking away people’s right to make decisions.
The registered provider had policies and systems in place to manage risks, safeguard vulnerable people from abuse and for the safe handling of medicines.
CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and to report on what we find. DoLS are a code of practice to supplement the main Mental Capacity Act 2005. These safeguards protect the rights of adults by ensuring that if there are restrictions on their freedom and liberty these are assessed by appropriately trained professionals. The registered manager had a good understanding of the MCA 2005 and DoLS legislation, and when these applied. Documentation in people’s care plans showed that when decisions had been made about a person’s care, when they lacked capacity, these had been made in the person’s best interests and had involved other professionals and advocates in the decision making process.
Recruitment practices were safe and relevant checks had been completed before staff commenced work.
People who used the service spoke positively about the care they received. People’s comments and complaints were responded to appropriately and there were systems in place to seek feedback from people and their relatives about the service provided.
People’s nutritional and dietary needs had been assessed and people were supported to plan menus and prepare meals. People told us there was a good choice of variety of food available, which they enjoyed.
The service made appropriate and timely referrals to healthcare professionals and recommendations were followed. People were able to discuss their health needs with staff and had contact with the GP and other health professionals as required.
There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Staff received training and support to enable them to carry out their tasks in a skilled and confident way.