Gledholt

Updated 16 February 2022

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 3 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.

Updated 16 February 2022

About the service

Gledholt is a care home providing care and support for people with learning disabilities and mental health needs, who may at times display behaviours that challenge others. The service is designed to offer transitional support while people are improving their skills to live more independently.

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 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 was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 9 people. Eight people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The provider was completing some decision specific mental capacity assessments and related best interest decisions for relevant aspects of people’s care. We have made a recommendation for the provider to always complete these records and to consult relevant guidance and best practice in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People told us the service provided safe care and people's feedback was positive about the support offered by staff. Risk assessments were in place to manage risks to people's care, and staff we spoke with felt safe supporting people with a wide range of needs. Medication was administered safely.

The provider completed person centred assessments and most care plans were updated when required. People were supported to access relevant healthcare services when they needed them, and they were supported to eat and drink well.

People remained supported by staff who were caring and respectful. People and, where appropriate, relatives were involved in making decisions about the care people received.

People's independence was promoted and encouraged. People received care that met their needs. People had opportunities to take part in activities in the house and outings of their choice.

People and most staff shared positive feedback about the quality of care and the management of the service. There was an open culture within the service, where people, staff and healthcare professionals could approach the management team if they had concerns or suggestions.

There were systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service.

There was not a registered manager, however we found appropriate management arrangements were in place to ensure the service was well led. A new manager had recently been appointed and they told us about their plans and vision to develop the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 9 June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on a previous rating.

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.