Archived: Orchard Court

Updated 24 March 2021

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 coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 10 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 24 March 2021

About the service:

Orchard Court provides personal care and accommodation for up to eight younger adults over the age of 18 with multiple and profound disabilities in a purpose built fully adapted building on Hollybank campus. At the time of our inspection it was providing this service to seven young adults.

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 and/or autism 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.

People's experience of using this service:

Orchard Court was exceptional at placing people at the heart of the service. The managers and staff of the service had a strong focus on people having as many opportunities as possible to develop their confidence, gain new skills and become as independent as they could. People were enabled to enjoy extreme and exciting sports and activities with confidence.

The outcomes for people using the service truly reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support in the promotion of choice, control, independence and inclusion. Managers constantly looked for ways to improve the service. They had engaged people with very complex needs in decisions and feedback at every opportunity and used excellent communication techniques and resources to include people and respond to any issues that arose.

Relatives we spoke with during our inspection highly praised the service and the impact it was having on people. People were supported by staff who were determined to ensure people could make their own choices. Staff assisted people to make their wishes a reality. One relative said, “[My relative] is having a really, really good quality of life and as much independence as [they] can have.”

There was a very positive culture in the service. Staff attributed this to the strong guidance in the service and believed the high levels of positivity in the service stemmed from outstanding leadership. People experienced excellent levels of staff support and interaction to lead fulfilling lives.

The service was exceptionally safe and people were encouraged to live life to the full and enjoy taking supported risks, for example abseiling and sailing.

People were supported by an in-house therapy team to maintain optimum wellbeing, mobility and quality of life. Care plans were outcome focused, extremely detailed, accessible and based on robust assessments of need.

Relatives and professionals told us how people were highly valued, shown great respect and their dignity preserved. People were supported to have the optimum 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.

Staff were exceptionally caring. They all shared the same hopes and aspirations for people to continue to live the lifestyle of their choice. People’s voices were of paramount importance in the service.

People experienced life in an outstanding building with excellent facilities and equipment that was tailored to support each individual’s complex needs, maximise independence, dignity, privacy, personalisation and social living. The service had a welcoming, homely feel and great care and attention had been taken to ensure each person had a bespoke living environment, which took into account their likes, preferences and sensory needs.

There was clear and consistent working with other professionals who supported people. Staff had promoted people working with other professionals and sought their advice when needed.

Recruitment practices for the service were safe. Staff were supported through an induction, training and supervision. This included the safe management of medicines and safeguarding.

The provider welcomed comments about the service. They had an accessible complaint’s process available to people. The service had not received any complaints.

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

Rating at the last inspection:

The service was registered with us on 16 May 2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected:

This inspection was part of our scheduled plan of visiting services to check the safety and quality of care people received. Newly registered services are inspected within 12 months of registration.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor the service and re-inspect in line with the current rating. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.