Longcroft

Updated 5 April 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 adult social care inspector.

Service and service type:

This service 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, both of which we 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 comprehensive inspection visit took place on 06 March 2019 and was unannounced.

What we did:

Before our inspection we completed our planning tool and reviewed the information we held on the service. This included notifications we had received from the provider about incidents that affect the health, safety and welfare of people supported by the service and previous inspection reports.

We also checked to see if any information concerning the care and welfare of people supported by the service had been received. We contacted the commissioning department who used Longcroft. This helped us to gain a balanced overview of what people experienced whilst using the service.

As part of the inspection we used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection we spoke with a range of people about Longcroft. They included four people who lived at the home, two members of the management team and five staff.

We looked at records related to the management of the service. We did this to ensure the management team had oversight of the service and they could respond to any concerns highlighted or lead Longcroft in ongoing improvements. We checked care records of two people who used the service. We also looked at staffing levels, recruitment procedures and training provision.

We walked around the building to carry out a visual check. We did this to ensure the home was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.

24 hours after hour visit, as part of the inspection process, we received new, more detailed risk assessments to indicate how the service intended to develop further.

Updated 5 April 2019

About the service:

Longcroft is a spacious building situated in Lancatser. It provides accommodation for up to 14 men who are offenders with mental health conditions. At the time of our inspection the home had 12 people living there. Accommodation is provided over three floors, and includes three communal spaces and a dining room.

People’s experience of using this service:

People told us they felt safe, secure and comfortable at the home. One person explained the stepped admission to the home helped them to feel safe and added, “By the time I came into the home full time I felt much more relaxed, confident and reassured.” When we discussed safeguarding responsibilities with staff, they demonstrated a good understanding, including about reporting procedures.

People confirmed there were adequate staff numbers to meet their requirements in a timely way. Personnel files we reviewed contained required checks to ensure employees were safely recruited and suitable to work with vulnerable adults.

Care records held risk assessments intended to reduce the potential risk of inappropriate care, harm or injury. The management team had good procedures to monitor and reduce incidents.

People told us they received their medicines on time and safely. One person said, “The staff make sure I get my medication on time. They have never failed with that.” The registered manager ensured staff had training and competency-testing to underpin their related skills.

Staff confirmed they had a range of training to underpin their skills and experience. One employee commented, “I was really surprised about how much training is on offer, it's really good.”

We observed people had a wide range of choice and sufficient portions at mealtimes. Staff completed food safety training as part of the hygienic preparation of meals.

Care records we looked at evidenced a multi-disciplinary approach to each person’s continuity of care. We noted, where required, people were referred in a timely way to other services to meet their ongoing needs.

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. A person told us, “All along the way my keyworker has consulted with me and we agree together about what might help and what sort of support I need.”

We observed staff consistently interacted with those who lived at Longcroft in a caring and friendly way. One person said, “The staff we have are really friendly, but professional.”

Care records we looked at showed staff used a person-centred approach to the assessment and ongoing planning of people’s support. Documentation evidenced each person was at the heart of their support planning, which focused on maximising their independence. One person said, “I have had a lot of disruption in my life and my plan is all about getting me back on track.”

People told us Longcroft was well-organised and had good leadership. They and personnel stated the management team involved them in the ongoing development of the home. A staff member commented, “The new managers are good, they are really supportive and there have been some good, positive changes to improve us as a service.”

Rating at last inspection: Good (report published 02 March 2017).

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any issues or concerns are identified we may inspect sooner.

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