Background to this inspection
Updated
8 May 2019
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team: One inspector completed the inspection.
Service and service type: The Oaks is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The Oaks accommodates nine people in one adapted building.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection: The inspection was unannounced.
What we did: Before our inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service, including changes, events or incidents that the provider is legally obliged to send us within the required timescales. We contacted professionals in local authority commissioning teams, the enablement team, safeguarding teams, advocacy services and Healthwatch. Healthwatch are a consumer group who champion the rights of people using healthcare services.
Before the inspection the provider completed 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.
We spent time speaking with three people who used the service and observing interactions between staff and people who used the service. We spoke with three members of staff: the registered manager, administration officer and one member of care staff.
We looked at three people's care plans, risk assessments and medicines records. We reviewed staff training and recruitment documentation, quality assurance systems, a selection of the home's policies and procedures, meeting minutes and maintenance records. Following the inspection we spoke with two relatives and two health and social care professionals.
Updated
8 May 2019
About the service: The Oaks provides personal care and support for up to nine people who have a learning disability, in one adapted building. The service was full at the time of our inspection.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
People’s experience of using this service: The registered manager had ensured improvements were made to medicines storage and administration practices in light of our previous inspection. Auditing and oversight of medicines and other aspects of the service were in place and effective. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of people’s medicinal needs.
The registered manager continued to be supported by a team of dedicated staff, including an administration officer with comprehensive knowledge of the service. People spoke highly of the registered manager, as did staff. People were comfortable in the presence of the registered manager and staff had evidently developed strong bonds with them.
Regular meetings were held with staff and people who used the service. These meetings were an opportunity to openly discuss a wide range of topics, from safeguarding and complaints to activities and menus. People who used the service and staff confirmed they could raise queries or suggestions in a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.
Good community links remained in place, particularly with a local community centre, where people attended a range of activities. The registered manager ensured people had opportunities to engage in their local community and beyond.
Records were accurate, up to date and person-centred.
The registered manager had been in post for several years and demonstrated an excellent knowledge of the needs people. Relatives and external professionals spoke of their confidence in the registered manager and staff team.
Turnover of staff remained low and staff morale was high.
Staff at all levels continued to deliver the caring, homely environment the service advertised and we found the culture remained focussed on ensuring people felt at home.
The care service was managed in line with the values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
Rating at last inspection: We previously inspected The Oaks in February 2018, at which time the service was rated requires improvement. At this inspection the registered manager had made the necessary improvements and the service was rated good.
Why we inspected: We inspected the service in line with our scheduled programme of inspections and to see if the registered manager had made the required improvements identified at the last inspection.