• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Lyndhurst

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Hea Road, Heamoor, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 3HB (01736) 331008

Provided and run by:
Royal Mencap Society

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Background to this inspection

Updated 11 May 2016

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 31 March 2016 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed previous inspection reports and other information we held about the home including any notifications sent to CQC by the service. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

We spoke with one person living at Lyndhurst and observed staff interactions with people. We spoke with the registered manager, and two support workers. Following the inspection visit we contacted two relatives to hear their views of the service. We also contacted two external healthcare professionals.

We looked at care records for two individuals, people’s Medicine Administration Records (MAR), staff rotas, two staff files and other records relating to the running of the service.

Overall inspection

Good

Updated 11 May 2016

We inspected Lyndhurst Residential Home on 31 March 2016, the inspection was unannounced. The service was last inspected in May 2014 and we had no concerns at that time.

Lyndhurst provides care and accommodation for up to five people. At the time of the inspection five people were living at the service. 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.

Lyndhurst is part of the Royal Mencap Society group which provides services to people with a learning disability. The service is made up of one large detached property on the outskirts of Penzance.

The premises were well maintained, pleasant and roomy. There was a living room and a large kitchen and dining area allowing people choice about where and with whom they spent their time. One person had a large en-suite bedroom on the ground floor and there were an additional four rooms which shared bathroom facilities. People had chosen the décor of their rooms in line with their personal preferences. The garden was large, flat and pleasant and people spent time in it when the weather was fine.

Recruitment practices helped ensure staff working in the service were appropriate to work in the care sector. Staff had received training in how to recognise and report abuse. They were clear about how to report any concerns and were confident that any allegations made would be appropriately investigated to help ensure people were protected. There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe.

Staff had a good understanding of people’s needs and support plans included clear information about how people preferred to be supported. There were clear guidelines for staff on how they could support people to help them avoid becoming distressed. When people did become anxious the care plans clearly informed staff about what actions to take. This helped ensure staff took a consistent approach to supporting people.

Families and other professionals were involved in regular discussions about how best to support people. The registered manager told us they were continually assessing people's needs to check these were still being met.

People's individual abilities and strengths were recognised and respected. People received as much support as they needed but were encouraged to be independent wherever possible. Staff took a flexible approach to support, according to the needs of the individual. People approached staff for assistance and reassurance as they needed it and staff responded with understanding and good humour.

The registered manager had a clear understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and how to make sure people who did not have the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves, had their legal rights protected.

Information was presented in easy to read formats to aid people's understanding and facilitate meaningful involvement.

The registered manager took an active role in the home. There was a key worker system in place. Key workers had oversight of each individual's plan of care. There were clear lines of accountability and responsibility within the management structure. This helped to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the service. Staff told us they had confidence in the registered manager and were happy working at the service.