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