Archived: The Old Orchard Care Home

Updated 11 March 2016

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.

This inspection took place on 21 January 2016 and was unannounced.

Before the inspection, we asked the provider to complete 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. We reviewed information the provider had

sent us including statutory notifications. These are made for serious incidents which the provider must inform us about. During the course of this inspection we contacted health and social care professionals for their feedback about the service. This included Healthwatch, the GP practice for the service, a learning disability speech and language therapist and an independent advocate that regularly visited the service.

The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Due to people’s communication needs we were unable to gain their experience about the service and used observation to help us understand their experience of the care and support they received. We spoke with the service manager this person had day to day responsibility for the service, the registered manager was unavailable. We also spoke with a team leader and two support staff. We looked at all or parts of the care records of two people along with other records relevant to the running of the service. This included policies and procedures, records of staff training and records of associated quality assurance processes.

After the inspection we spoke with three relatives of people who used the service for their feedback about the service.

Updated 11 March 2016

We carried out an unannounced inspection of the service on 21 January 2016.

The Old Orchard Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to five people living with severe learning disabilities, physical and sensory needs, including autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection there were five people living at the service.

The Old Orchard Care Home is required to have a registered manager in post. 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. At the time of the inspection there was a registered manager.

People received a safe service. Staff were aware of the safeguarding adult procedures to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm and had received appropriate training. Risks were known by staff and managed appropriately. Accidents and incidents were recorded and appropriate action had been taken to reduce further risks. People received their medicines as prescribed and these were managed correctly.

Safe recruitment practices meant as far as possible only people suitable to work for the service were employed. Staff received an induction, training and appropriate support. There were sufficient experienced, skilled and trained staff available to meet people’s needs. People’s dependency needs had been reviewed and were monitored for any changes.

People received sufficient to eat and drink and their nutritional needs had been assessed and planned for. People received appropriate support with their eating and drinking needs and independence was promoted. People’s healthcare needs had been assessed and were regularly monitored. The service worked well with visiting healthcare professionals to ensure they provided effective care and support. When concerns were identified about people’s healthcare needs swift action was taken.

The manager applied the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), so that people’s rights were protected.

Staff were kind, caring and respectful towards the people they supported. They had an excellent person centred approach and a clear understanding of people’s individual needs, preferences and routines. The provider asked relatives and visiting professionals to share their experience about the service provided. Communication between relatives, external professionals and the service was good.

People were involved as fully as possible in their care and support, this included participating in person centred reviews. Staff used excellent communication tools that were based on individual needs. There was a complaint policy and procedure available and confidentiality was maintained. The provider arranged for people to be supported by an independent advocate. There were no restrictions on people visiting the service.

People were supported to participate in activities, interests and hobbies of their choice. Staff were creative and thoughtful and had a positive approach in providing new experiences and opportunities for people.

The provider had checks in place that monitored the quality and safety of the service. These included daily, weekly and monthly audits.