Oak Lodge

Updated 25 January 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check 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.

The inspection took place on 13 December 2018 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours' notice of the inspection visit because we needed to be sure that our visit would not disrupt the lives of people there more than necessary.

One inspector was present on the inspection. Before the inspection, we checked the information held regarding the service and provider. This included previous inspection reports and any statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send to us by law. We also reviewed the Provider Information report. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what they do well and improvements they plan to make.

People were not always able to tell us about the care they received, therefore we spent time observing their day to day support and interactions with staff. We spoke with the registered manager, locality manager and four care staff. We spent time reviewing records, which included three care plans, two staff files, two medication administration records, staff rotas and training records. Other documentation that related to the management of the service such as policies and procedures, complaints, compliments, accidents and incidents were viewed. We also 'pathway tracked' the care for two people living at the service. This is where we check that the care detailed in individual plans matches the experience of the person receiving care.

Following inspection, we talked to one professional and two relatives of people that use the service.

Updated 25 January 2019

Oak lodge 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.

Oak lodge provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people who have learning disabilities and some associated physical or/and sensory disabilities. There were six people using the service at the time of inspection.

Oak lodge was a purpose-built bungalow with spacious bedrooms and communal areas that were wheelchair accessible. There was ample and accessible outdoor space, with a sensory garden and fish pond.

The care service had 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. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were safe. Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff to meet people’s support needs. Medicines were given safely by trained and competent staff. Areas of risk were continuously assessed and enabled people to remain safe and have choice over how they wanted to live their lives. The environment was well maintained and safe for people to live in.

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.

People’s nutritional and dietary needs were met. People received support from a wide range of health and social care professionals to maintain their wellbeing. Staff had received a robust induction and had the skills and knowledge to meet all of people’s needs. They were further supported in their roles with regular supervisions, staff meetings and appraisals.

We observed people to have built good relationships with staff and the atmosphere was warm, positive and engaging. Relatives and a professional spoke highly of the kind and caring nature of staff. People’s independence, dignity and privacy was continuously respected and promoted.

Relatives and a professional told us that staff were responsive to people and any changing needs. There was a clear complaints policy and relatives were confident any concerns they had would be dealt with immediately. People’s communication needs were well known and supported using a variety of communication tools. People had been supported to understand death and bereavement when someone they knew passed away.

Relatives, a professional and staff were complimentary of the registered manager and felt the service was well-led. The provider sought views from people, relatives, staff and professionals to improve the service. The registered manager was passionate about providing care and worked with the provider to improve the lives of people.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.