Archived: Cypress Lodge

Updated 6 October 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 19 August 2015 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Prior to our inspection we reviewed the information and notifications we had received about the service. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We also received a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

Health and social care professionals were contacted in order to gain their views about the service. We received comments from one of the professionals we contacted.

During our inspection we spoke with four people who lived at Cypress Lodge. We made observations throughout the day in order to see how people were supported. We spoke with the registered manager and with three staff members.

We looked at three people’s care records, together with other records relating to their support and the running of the service. These included staff employment records and records in relation to quality assurance.

Updated 6 October 2015

This inspection took place on 19 August 2015 and was unannounced. The previous inspection of Cypress Lodge was on 10 October 2013. There were no breaches of the legal requirements at that time.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Cypress Lodge provides care and accommodation for up to 10 people with a learning disability. There was a main house with accommodation for six people. A smaller property in the grounds, known as Willow Cottage, had places for four people.

People received a service that was safe. Risks to people were assessed and plans put in place to reduce these. Checks were carried out on staff to confirm they were safe to be working with people at the home.

Staff received training and support which helped them to do their jobs well. People’s rights were protected because staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff supported people in ways which promoted their independence.

People spoke positively about Cypress Lodge and their relationships with the staff. One person told us “I enjoy living here, the staff help me with things”. A staff member commented “It’s important to remember that this is people’s own home”.

Staff helped people to maintain good health and advised people about healthy eating. People took part in activities they enjoyed and went out into the local community. Meetings were arranged when people could talk about the day to day arrangements and discuss any concerns.

Overall, people benefited from a well run home. There were systems in place for monitoring the service and for identifying where improvements could be made.