Longhouse

Updated 29 November 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 18 October 2017 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also reviewed other information we held about the service and provider as well as previous inspection reports.

We spoke with two people using the service and observed how staff interacted with the other people who were staying at the home. We talked with three staff members and the registered manager. After the inspection we spoke with three people’s relatives by telephone and received feedback from three health care professionals.

We looked at the care records of three people and records which related to staffing including their recruitment procedures and the training and development of staff. We inspected the most recent records relating to the management of the home including quality assurance reports.

Updated 29 November 2017

Longhouse is a purpose built home which provides accommodation for up to six people. People who stay at Longhouse have a learning and/or a physical disability. They generally live in their own home with a relative or a carer and stay at Longhouse when their relatives/carers need a break from their role as their main carer. This is known as respite care. There were three people staying in the home at the time of our inspection. Each bedroom has a private toilet and shower facility. People have access to the communal lounge and dining room and a secure garden.

At the last inspection in September 2015 the service was rated Good.

This inspection took place 18 October 2017 and was unannounced. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People who stayed at Longhouse had a range of diverse needs. Their care records reflected their preferences and support requirements and provided staff with the information they needed to support people. People’s risks had been assessed and were being managed by staff who knew how to support them to manage their risks. Relatives were confident that staff supported people well and had no concerns about the quality of care people received. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

Good communication between the relatives/carers and staff ensured that all parties were kept up to date of any changes in people’s well-being. Health care professionals praised the responsiveness of staff.

There were enough staff to keep people safe. People were supported by an established staff team who had been trained and supported to carry out their role. Robust recruitment procedures were in place to make sure staff were suitable to provide people with personal care.

Safe and accountable systems were in place to ensure the safe management of people’s medicines and monies. Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from harm and report any concerns. Staff benefitted from good management and leadership. Effective quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the service and drive improvements. The service acted promptly when concerns were raised.