The Gables

Heathcotes The Gables is a care home situated in a suburb of Lincoln. The home can accommodate up to eight people who experience learning disabilities and/or autism.

The accommodation is made up of a main house which can accommodate six people and two single person flats on the same site. On the day of the inspection four people were living in the main house and two people were living in the flats.

People’s experience of using this service

Heathcotes The Gables had been designed and developed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice and independence.

The home applied those principles and values and other best practice guidance. The outcomes for people reflected this. 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. People’s rights under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) were respected and upheld.

People told us they felt safe living at Heathcotes The Gables. Staff understood how to protect people from the risk of abuse and plans were in place to minimise any identified risks to people’s health and well-being. People received their medicines as required.

There were enough staff, who were well trained and supported, to make sure people received the care and support they needed in a personalised way. People had access to healthcare when they needed it and staff sought advice from specialist health services wherever it was appropriate. People were encouraged to have a balanced diet to help them stay healthy.

The registered manager and staff knew people well and treated them with care and respect. People were involved in planning and reviewing their care where they were able to be. Staff sought out opportunities for people to develop their life skills and independence.

Systems were in place to monitor the safety and quality of the services provided for people. The registered manager promoted an open and inclusive culture where people, and the staff who supported them, could express their views and opinions and be involved in the running of the home.

Why we inspected

This was the first planned inspection for Heathcotes The Gables following their registration in June 2018.

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 concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.

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