Archived: Barling Lodge

Updated 27 August 2021

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements of the Warning Notice in relation to Regulation 12 [Safe care and treatment] of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection team consisted of two inspectors.

Service and service type

Barling Lodge 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; they were also the registered provider. This means that they 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 the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. 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 reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from Essex Fire and Rescue Service. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered provider, the provider’s newly appointed assistant director and three members of staff. We reviewed records relating to the service’s fire safety arrangements and inspected the premises.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We reviewed training summaries for staff employed at the service pertaining to fire safety.

Updated 27 August 2021

About the service

Barling Lodge is a residential care home and it was providing accommodation and personal care to nine people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. Some people were also living with dementia. The service can support up to 47 people in one adapted building.

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

The leadership, management and governance arrangements did not provide assurance the service was well-led. Quality assurance and governance arrangements at the service were not reliable or effective in identifying shortfalls in the service. The arrangements for learning lessons when things go wrong were unclear and inconsistent.

Risks to people were assessed and recorded but additional information was required to identify how risks posed were to be mitigated. Not all risks posed to people’s safety in the event of a fire emergency were identified. Our concerns relating to fire safety were raised with Essex Fire and Rescue Service.

The atmosphere at Barling Lodge was relaxed and calm and staff interactions with people using the service were positive. Staff spent time with people, either talking with them or supporting the person to participate in a social activity. The care and support provided by staff was not rushed and it was evident staff had a good relationship with the people they supported.

Staff knew how to safeguard people and raise concerns. People were comfortable in the company of staff who provided support. Staffing levels were appropriate to meet and respond to people’s needs. Staffs practice relating to medicines management showed staff undertook this task with dignity and respect for the people being supported.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published November 2019). The service remains rated requires improvement. This service has been rated requires improvement for the last three consecutive inspections.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about safeguarding and staffing. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the Safe and Well-Led sections of this full report.

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 see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection.

We have identified breaches in relation to risk and quality assurance.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.