The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Ashlea Care Home

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

1 Kings Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1EW (01636) 705206

Provided and run by:
Royal Mencap Society

All Inspections

15 and 16 October 2014

During a routine inspection

We performed the announced inspection on 15 and 17 October 2014. Ashlea Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to eight people with a learning disability. On the day of our inspection six people were using the service.

The service had a registered manager in place at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

When we last inspected the service on 23 April 2013 we found the provider was meeting all of the outcome areas we inspected.

People felt safe in the service and the manager knew to share information with the local authority when needed. Staff knew how to respond to incidents and what incidents needed to be reported. This meant there were systems in place to protect people from the risk of abuse.

People received their medication as prescribed and the management of medication was safe.

Staffing levels were maintained at appropriate levels to support people’s needs.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. The DoLS is part of the MCA, which is in place to protect people who lack capacity to make certain decisions because of illness or disability. DOLS protects the rights of people by ensuring that if there are restrictions on their freedom these are assessed by professionals who are trained to decide if the restriction is needed. We found this legislation was being used correctly to protect people who were not able to make their own decisions about the care they received. We also found staff were aware of the principles within the MCA and had not deprived people of liberty without applying for the required authorisation.

People could see health care professionals such as their General Practitioners (GP) when their health needs changed. People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain their health and specialist diets could be provided when required to meet people’s health needs and cultural diversity.

People were encouraged to contribute to the development of care plans and the plans provided staff with up to date information to help them deliver appropriate care. People were treated with respect and dignity and we saw staff were proactive in promoting people’s decisions and choices.

People were supported to follow their hobbies and interests and to access the community. People felt they could raise concerns if they wished to and these would be acted on.

People were encouraged to be involved in the development of the service and audits were carried out to assess the quality of the service.

22 April 2013

During a routine inspection

Prior to our visit we reviewed all the information we had received from the provider. During the visit we spoke with four people who used the service. We also spoke with three support workers and the acting manager. We also looked at some of the records held, and observed the support people who used the service received.

We found people were supported to make decisions about their care. People's individual characteristics were respected and their privacy and dignity were promoted. A person told us, 'I say what I want to do and they (support workers) organise it for me. I do everything I want to here.'

We found people had a choice of suitable and nutritious food and people's individual preferences were taken into account. A person told us, 'I have a snack or a drink when I want one. I have supper every night.'

We found people were safeguarded from abuse. A person who used the service told us, 'I feel safe, I can call for help on my mobile if I need to if I am out alone.'

People could be confident their personal records were accurate, fit for purpose held securely and remain confidential. A person told us, 'I keep my care file in my room. It's my file.'

30 October 2012

During a routine inspection

Prior to our visit we reviewed all the information we had received from the provider. During the visit we spoke with five people who used the service and asked them for their views. We also spoke with two care staff. We also looked at some of the records held in the service including the care files for three people.

People who lived in the home were empowered to make their own decisions. We saw staff asking people for their views and preferences. This included discussing daily routines such as meal times and longer term wishes such as holiday plans. One person told us, 'I went on holiday with my girlfriend.'

Staff spoke of how people went out unescorted when assessed as being able to do so. One person told us about various community resources they visited on a regular basis, including a pub where they were the mascot for a local darts team. One person told us, 'I am going to see Mama Mia in London soon.'

We saw some people return from their daily activity and were warmly greeted by staff. They talked about their day and people followed their own routines.

We saw people contributing towards the household tasks including preparing tea and washing the kitchen floor. One person told us, 'We take turns to cook tea.' Staff said they supported people to complete their tasks.

A person who used the service showed us round the communal areas of the home and also showed us their room. All areas of the home were clean, well decorated and in good order.

18 October 2011

During a routine inspection

There were six people accommodated at the service at the time of our inspection.

We spoke with four people who use the service, the manager and two staff.

People who used the service told us that they receive care in a way that was respectful of their privacy and dignity.

People who used the service told us that they were treated by care staff in a kind and caring manner and that 'we are supported to do what we can and we get the help we need, for the things we can't do without some support.'

People told us that there are lots of activities to go to and that they 'like the activities that we have here at the home, just as much as the ones at the day centre.'

People who used the service that we spoke with, told us that they felt safe living there.

We were told thatstaff 'are not like staff really, we are all part of a big family!'

People who used the service told us that they can speak with staff and the manager at any time and that they feel included in decisions made about the care received and the way in which the service is run.