Background to this inspection
Updated
28 February 2020
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 Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and one inspection manager.
Service and service type
Upper Ford Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager 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 unannounced and took place on 04 February 2020.
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 also requested feedback from Healthwatch to obtain their views of the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, director of operations, quality and autism practice manager, and four care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at six staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at quality assurance records. We spoke with two relatives about their experience of the care provided, and two professionals who regularly visit.
Updated
28 February 2020
About the service
Upper Ford Lodge is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 10 people with autistic spectrum disorders and learning disabilities.
The home is split over three floors, has communal bathrooms, kitchen, lounges, and a large accessible garden.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can 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, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
The service consistently applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
There were eight people living at the home on the day of the inspection.
People’s experience of this service and what we found
People looked happy and relaxed in the home. Relatives said their family member was safe and were happy with the service. Staff were trained in safeguarding, they understood and recognised the signs of abuse, and how to report it to keep people safe.
Potential risks to people had been identified and staff were knowledgeable in how to support people to reduce any risks. People were supported to have their medicines safely and checks were undertaken to ensure these were administered as prescribed. The risk of infections and accidental harm was reduced, as staff used the knowledge and equipment provided to do this.
People’s care continued to be reviewed with the person and their relative. People were encouraged to be independent with preparing meals and drinks and were supported to maintain a healthy well- balanced diet. Staff were engaged and worked well with health professionals following any advice and guidance given.
People said they were treated respectfully by staff and were given choices about their care and support. People were actively encouraged with their areas of interest and hobbies. Staff spoke passionately about their roles and the people that live in the home.
The home had a high level of engagement with relatives of the people and professionals. The registered manager and provider checked the quality of the care provided and encouraged suggestions from people and staff to improve people’s care further. The registered manager kept up to date with best practice developments, so they could develop the care provided further.
Staff were supported by management, and managers had a clear vision for the home and development. Staff were clear of their roles and responsibilities and told us they worked well as a team.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good. The last report was published 1 August 2017.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.