About the service: Franklyn Lodge is a care home which provides accommodation and personal care for a maximum of nine adults who have autism and learning disabilities. At the time of this inspection, there were nine people using the service.
The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the “Registering the Right Support” and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. The service worked towards the goal of enabling people with learning disabilities to live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
People’s experience of using this service:
People using the service had complex needs and they were unable to provide us with confirmation regarding the care provided. However, they appeared comfortable and well cared for. They interacted well with staff and there was a relaxed and homely atmosphere. People’s relatives were positive about the care provided by staff and said that they treated people with respect and dignity.
Risk assessments had been documented. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were regularly assessed.
There were regular checks related to maintenance of the premises, health and safety, staffing arrangements and management of accidents and incidents. Staff informed us that they checked the hot water temperatures prior to people having a shower.
Staff had received training on how to safeguard people and were aware of the procedure to follow if they suspect that people were subject to abuse
The home had a policy and procedure to ensure that people received their prescribed medicines. Staff had received medicines administration training and knew how to administer medicines safely. We however, noted that the temperature of the room where medicines were stored had been over 30 degrees centigrade for the past seven days. Such high temperatures of over 25 degrees centigrade may affect the potency of medicines administered to people. Immediate action was taken by the service to rectify this after the inspection.
The home had adequate staffing levels and staff were able to attend to people’s needs. This was also confirmed by staff and most relatives.
People were supported to live a healthy life. Staff supported people to have a healthy and nutritious diet that was in line with their individual dietary needs and preferences. People had access to healthcare professionals when needed.
The service worked towards ensuring that people received personalised care and support that met their individual needs and choices. Care documentation included details about people’s individual needs and preferences. People’s care had been reviewed with them and their representatives to ensure they met their changing needs.
Staff received appropriate training to ensure they had the right knowledge and skills to support people in a safe and effective way. The registered manager and senior staff supported care workers by providing them with regular supervision and a yearly appraisal of their performance.
Staff knew people well and had a caring approach to their work. They understood the importance of treating people with dignity, protecting people's privacy and respecting their differences and human rights. Positive caring relationships had developed between people who used the service and care workers.
People appeared comfortable in their environment. We however, noted that some areas of the home needed repairs and redecoration. We were informed after the inspection that an item of furniture in need of repair had now been replaced and redecoration had been competed for an area of the home identified by us.
Staff understood their obligations regarding the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff gained people's agreement before providing them with assistance with personal care and other activities.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. DoLS ensure that an individual being deprived of their liberty is monitored and the reasons why they are being restricted is regularly reviewed to make sure it is still in the person's best interests. The home had made necessary applications for DoLS where people’s liberty needed to be restricted for their own safety.
Staff supported people to actively participate in activities and pursue their interests. People were seen going out to participate in activities.
There was a formal complaints procedure in place which was available to people and their representatives.
The home had a management structure in place with a team of care support workers, a deputy manager and the registered manager. The morale within the home was good and staff worked well with one another. Staff felt supported by their managers.
Management monitored the quality of the service and we saw evidence that regular audits and checks had been carried out to improve the service. These included areas such as care documentation, health and safety, cleanliness of the premises and medicines management and staff training.
Rating at last inspection: The service had been inspected on 17 November 2016 and rated as Good.
Why we inspected: This was a scheduled planned comprehensive inspection.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk