Shore Lodge - Care Home Learning Disabilities

Updated 3 September 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 10 August 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 3 September 2020

About the service

Shore Lodge – Care Home Learning Disabilities is a residential care home providing personal care to nine people with physical and learning disabilities at the time of the inspection. Some people were older, and some had profound needs. The service can support up to 10 people.

The service was registered prior to guidance ‘Registering the Right Support’. However, the service has been developed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to ten people. Nine people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us and indicated they were happy living at the service and that they felt safe. People continued to be protected from abuse, discrimination and avoidable harm by staff who understood their responsibilities to keep people safe. Risks to people’s health and safety were assessed and measures were in place to reduce risks. Accidents and incidents were recorded, and action was taken to reduce the risks of them happening again. People continued to be supported by enough staff who worked closely as a team to meet people’s needs. People were supported to have their medicines on time.

People were supported by staff who were knowledgeable and knew them well. Staff completed regular training and met with the registered manager regularly to discuss their performance. People told us they enjoyed their meals and staff supported them to cook and shop. People’s health care needs were monitored and regularly reviewed. Changes in people’s needs were recorded and, when needed, people were referred to health care professionals. There was a calm and relaxed atmosphere. The building was easy for people to navigate with good wheelchair access to help support their independence.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The service applied the principles and values consistently of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People had built trusting relationships with staff. Staff spoke passionately about the people they supported and were kind and caring. People’s privacy and dignity were respected by staff and their independence was promoted. People were empowered to do as much for themselves as possible.

People, their relatives and representatives were involved in the planning and review of their care and support. People were encouraged to remain active and were supported to engage in the local community. People knew how to complain and would speak with staff if there were unhappy. There had not been any complaints since the last inspection.

The registered manager completed regular checks to ensure the quality of the service was good. Staff worked with health care professionals to deliver effective, joined-up care and support to meet people’s needs.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 13 April 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.