Background to this inspection
Updated
22 July 2023
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
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 2 inspectors.
Service and service type
Ashford Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Ashford Lodge is a care home without nursing care. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with CQC to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. There was a manager overseeing the day to day running of the service and they had submitted an application to register with CQC.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We met all the people living at the service and observed staff interactions with people. We spoke with 3 care staff, the deputy manager, the senior service manager and the regional manager. We reviewed 3 people’s care records and associated risk assessments. We reviewed 2 staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. We spoke with 3 people’s relatives about the care and support their loved ones received.
Updated
22 July 2023
About the service
Ashford Lodge is a residential care home accommodating up to 8 autistic people and people with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were 7 people using the service. Six people lived in an adapted building and a person lived in an annex in the grounds.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.
Right Support:
Staff provided effective support to identify people's aspirations and goals and assist people to plan how these would be met. Staff focused on people's strengths and promoted what they could do. There was a consistent approach to supporting people to learn new skills. Staff enabled people to access health and social care support in the community.
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.
Right Care:
Staff provided care to people which was person-centred and promoted people's dignity, privacy and human rights. People's individual choices were recognised and respected. Staff promoted equality and diversity in their support for people.
People could communicate with staff as staff understood their individual communication. People were empowered to take part in activities of their choice. People were supported to keep in touch with people who were important to them.
People were protected from the risks of harm, abuse and discrimination because staff knew what action to take if they identified concerns. There were enough staff to provide the support people needed.
Staff understood the risks to people's health, safety and welfare. Risk assessments provided guidance for staff about individual risks.
Right Culture:
The service enabled people and those important to them to work with staff to develop the service.
Feedback was requested from people, relatives or health care professionals. Staff ensured the quality and safety of the service had been assessed to ensure people were safe.
Safe recruitment practices were followed. Staff knew and understood people well. The provider and staff worked hard to develop strong leadership.
Quality monitoring systems had been developed and embedded. Morale within the staff team was good and staff felt valued.
Checks and audits were being regularly completed. Shortfalls were identified and action taken to address these.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 1 March 2022).
The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.
At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last 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.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Ashford Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.