• Care Home
  • Care home

Lynnwood

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

4 Lynnwood Avenue, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 6XB

Provided and run by:
Swanton Care & Community (Autism North) Limited

Latest inspection summary

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Background to this inspection

Updated 4 August 2022

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

One inspector carried out the inspection.

Service and service type

Lynnwood 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 two managers 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

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered. We sought feedback form the local authority commissioning and safeguarding teams. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with all four people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also spent time observing staff and people engaging with each other. We spoke with seven members of staff including support staff, team leaders, the deputy manager and the two registered managers. We also received feedback from two professionals involved in people’s care and support.

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

After the inspection

We continued to review information we received from the provider.

Overall inspection

Good

Updated 4 August 2022

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.

About the service

Lynnwood is a residential care home providing personal care to four people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to four people.

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

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture.

Right Support

The staff supported people to have the maximum possible choice. People were supported and encouraged to be independent and they had control over their own lives. Staff focused on people’s strengths and promoted what they could do, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life. Staff supported people to achieve their aspirations and goals. Care and support was provided in a safe, clean, well equipped, well-furnished and well-maintained environment. People were able to personalise their rooms. Staff supported people to play an active role in maintaining their own health and wellbeing.

Right Care

People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people’s privacy and dignity. The service had enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. Staff understood and responded to people’s individual needs. People could communicate with staff and understand information given to them because staff supported them consistently and understood their individual communication needs. People received care that supported their needs and aspirations, was focused on their quality of life, and followed best practice. People actively followed their interests and hobbies. The staff provided opportunities for people to have new experiences that enhanced and enriched their lives. Where appropriate staff supported, and enabled people to take positive risks.

Right culture

People led inclusive and empowered lives because of the ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the management and staff. People received good quality care, support and treatment because trained staff and specialists could meet their needs and wishes. Staff turnover was very low, which supported people to receive consistent care from staff who knew them well. Staff placed people’s wishes, needs and rights at the heart of everything they did. People’s quality of life was enhanced by the service’s culture of improvement and inclusivity. Staff ensured risks of a closed culture were minimised so that people received support based on transparency, respect and inclusivity.

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

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of ‘Right support, right care, right culture’.

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.

This service was registered with us on 27 May 2021 and this was the first inspection.

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.