Thorndene

Updated 18 March 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 21 February 2022 and was unannounced.

Updated 18 March 2022

About the service:

Thorndene is a residential care home that was providing personal care for seventeen people living with severe healthcare needs, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and behaviour that challenges. The home has been developed and designed in line with best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. These values were seen in practice at the home. For example, the building was like any other on the road with no signs to show

it was a care home. Staff did not wear uniforms and people lived their lives in the ways they wanted.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. We found improvements had been made since our last inspection and the service has met the characteristics of Good and Outstanding in responsive. The overall rating is Good.

What life is like for people using this service:

• The home has shown continuous improvement following our previous inspection in August 2016. For a home which supports people with multiple and complex needs and with behaviours that challenge, there have been remarkably positive and consistent outcomes for people.

• Staff had an excellent awareness of individuals' needs and treated people in a warm, loving and respectful manner. They were knowledgeable about people's lives before they started using the service. Every effort was made to enhance this knowledge so that their life experiences remained meaningful.

• The registered manager and staff went above and beyond what was expected of them to ensure people received personalised and responsive care and support. Everyone including those with limited verbal communication could express an opinion about the care provided and contributed to their care plans.

• The provider promoted a good quality of life for people. People were happy living at the home, were able to express themselves and engage with staff, participate in activities they enjoyed within the home and in their community and develop their skills and independence.

• People were supported to maintain relationships with those important to them and to develop new relationships.

• The registered manager had inspired and supported the staff team to improve people's lives, had achieved good outcomes for people, ensured people were kept safe and received high quality, person centred care and support in line with all their individual needs.

• The registered manager and their team provided excellent support to staff; and were open and transparent in their management. The management team put people at the heart of what they did, and were well supported by the provider in their quest to deliver a good service.

More information is in Detailed Findings below.

Rating at last inspection:

Good (Report published August 2016)

Follow up:

Going forward we will continue to monitor this service and plan to inspect in line with our re-inspection schedule for those services rated Good.