The Sycamores

Updated 23 February 2019

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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type:

The Sycamores 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 registered provider employed a manager who was 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 announced. We gave the registered manager a short period of notice because people who live there were often out at work or engaging in leisure activities. We wanted to be sure they were offered the opportunity to participate in the inspection.

What we did:

Before the inspection, the registered provider had 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. The registered provider returned the PIR and we took this into account when we made our judgements in this report. We reviewed other information that we held about the service such as notifications. These are events that happen in the service that the registered provider is required to tell us about. We considered the last inspection report and information that had been sent to us by other agencies. We also had contact with commissioners who had a contract in place with the registered provider.

We spoke with five people who lived in the service and observed how staff interacted with and communicated with people. We also spoke with two staff members, the registered manager and the registered provider's operations manager.

We looked at specific parts of the care records of three people and we undertook a tour of the premises with three people who lived there and a member of staff. We also looked at records in relation to the management of the home such as quality assurance checks, staff training and recruitment records, safeguarding information and accidents and incident information.

Updated 23 February 2019

About the service:

The Sycamores provides personal care and support for up to eight people who experience learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The accommodation is located in the market town of Alford in Lincolnshire. It is part of the larger organisation of Linkage Community Trust and is supported by regional and head office staff.

There were eight people living at the service at the time of the inspection.

The service worked within the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensured that people could live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control over their own lives, choice, and independence.

People’s experience of using this service:

•People were supported by staff who were clear about the action needed to ensure people were kept safe from harm.

•There were enough staff available with the right skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs in a person-centred way.

•People were supported to maintain their nutrition and staff monitored and responded promptly to people’s health conditions.

• People lived in a clean and hygienic environment and were given appropriate support to manage their chosen lifestyles and behaviours in the least restrictive way.

•People were enabled to have choice and control of their lives and were encouraged to develop their independence.

•People were treated with kindness and respect. Staff listened to people and always respected their choices and decisions.

•People were protected from discrimination and their rights were upheld.

•People’s needs were monitored and reviewed and people were supported to enjoy a varied social life.

•There was an open and inclusive culture within the service. People, relatives and staff had a say in how the services were being run and how they wanted them to be developed.

•Approaches to management and leadership were collaborative and enabled people to be kept at the centre of service planning and delivery. Staff were well supported and audits and governance systems ensured any shortfalls in the services provided were addressed in a timely manner.

Rating at last inspection:

The Sycamores was last inspected on 12 July 2016 (report published 23 August 2016) and was rated as good overall.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The Sycamores remained rated good overall.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about The Sycamores until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.