The Lawns

Updated 29 July 2021

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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by two inspectors.

Service and service type

The Lawns 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, and both were 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 inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

Due to technical problems, we were not able to view the Provider information return submitted by the provider. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with two young people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, the deputy manager, a senior therapeutic care worker, an agency staff member, the head of services and clinical lead and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We sought and received the views of two professionals who had involvement with young people using the service.

Updated 29 July 2021

About the service

The Lawns is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 3 young people and at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 4 young people.

The Lawns accommodates 4 young people in one adapted building. The Lawns provides therapeutic residential care for female children and young people with self-injurious and risk-taking behaviours. The Lawns provides a residential alternative to hospital or secure settings. Throughout this report we have described people using the service as young people.

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

Young people were safeguarded from the risks of abuse and from risks from receiving therapeutic care and support. The service was working to improve the way documentation relating to care was organised.

Young people were supported by sufficient numbers of suitable staff recruited using robust procedures. Young people's medicines were safely managed and the service was working to improve the monitoring of medicine storage temperatures.

We found the environment of the care home was clean, had been well maintained and was adapted for its purpose. We were assured the service was following safe infection prevention and control procedures to keep people safe.

Staff received support and training to develop knowledge and skills for their role.

There were arrangements in place for young people and their representatives to raise concerns about the service.

Within the structures and boundaries of therapeutic care, young people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Young people's individual needs and wishes were known to staff who had achieved positive relationships with them. Young people were positively involved in the planning and review of their care. Young people were supported in response to their wishes to maintain contact with their relatives.

Quality monitoring systems were in operation. The registered manager was visible and accessible to young people and staff.

Developments were planned to develop both the environment of the service and the level of clinical input to the therapeutic programme.

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

Why we inspected

This service was registered with us on 4 November 2019 and this is the first inspection.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

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.