Lilford Court

Updated 7 October 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

Two inspectors carried out the inspection.

Service and service type

Lilford Court is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Lilford Court is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

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 sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 3 people who used the service. Some people using the service had limited verbal communication. We observed interactions between people and the support staff throughout our inspection. We spoke with 10 members of staff including the registered manager, area manager, practice support manager, senior support workers and support workers.

We reviewed a range of records, including 4 people’s care plans and multiple medication records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality assurance, complaints and safeguarding were reviewed.

We spoke with 4 relatives and 1 advocate by telephone.

Updated 7 October 2023

About the service

Lilford Court is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 8 people. The service provides support to autistic people and people with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were 8 people using the service.

Lilford Court comprises of 2 semi-detached houses, each with its own large garden.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

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

Right Support: Lilford Court is located in a residential area, within easy reach of local shops and amenities. There were enough staff to meet people’s care and support needs and support people to take part in activities of their choice. Staff were safely recruited and completed the training required to carry out their roles.

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. Staff knew how people communicated their needs and choices.

Right Care: People’s needs were assessed before moving to the service. Person-centred care records identified people’s preferences, support needs and potential risks. Guidance was provided to manage these risks. People were supported to maintain their health and wellbeing. People received their medicines as prescribed. Some areas of the home were not always clean. The registered manager said they would address this.

Relatives were positive about the care and support provided. People received kind and compassionate care. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. They understood and responded to people’s individual needs.

Right Culture: People and their relatives were positive about living at Lilford Court. They were involved in agreeing and reviewing their care. Relatives said there was good communication with the home. Staff enjoyed working at Lilford Court and felt listened to by the registered manager. A quality assurance system was in place. Actions were completed where any issues had been identified.

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 26 April 2018).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about restrictions in place for 1 person and staff knowledge for supporting autistic people. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see all sections of this full report.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.