Longford

Updated 19 December 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Service and service type

Longford 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 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

This inspection was unannounced on the first day; we arranged to return to the service the following day.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we held in our systems about the service since the last inspection.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return (PIR) prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. On the second day of inspection, the provider received a request for a PIR which they said they would complete and return. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We met all six people who used the service and talked with two of them about their experience of the care provided. As people did not have good verbal communication skills, we spent time observing the care people received. We spoke with the registered manager, their deputy, a senior manager who was visiting the service and three care workers.

We reviewed records relating to people’s care and the running of the service. This included three people’s care records and two medication records, staff rotas, quality and safety audits and checks.

After the inspection

After the inspection, the registered manager sent additional information including details of family and professional contacts. We contacted relatives of three people as well as health and social care professionals who support people at the service. This included staff at two GP surgeries, an advanced practitioner and an advocate. We received feedback from one GP surgery.

Updated 19 December 2019

About the service

Longford is a residential care home providing personal care to six younger and older adults at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to six people living with a learning disability and/or autism. Some people were also living with physical disabilities.

Services for people with learning disabilities and or autism are supported. Longford is a domestic house which has been developed and designed 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 received planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

The service was in a residential area on a road with other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff did not wear a uniform or anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

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 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’s experience of using this service and what we found

People living at Longford had little or no verbal communication. However, they appeared relaxed and happy with staff, who supported them to be as independent as possible. People were encouraged to develop life skills and get involved in activities in and outside the service. People were also supported to go on holiday. Care records contained detailed accurate information about each person’s risks, needs and preferences. Care plans described activities people enjoyed doing both in the service and in the community. People were supported to remain in contact with family and friends, who were able to visit when they wanted.

The service held records on a computerised system which meant staff were able to access up-to-date information which they could update when care and support was provided. Systems to safeguard people from abuse were in place.

There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. The recruitment process helped ensure potential staff were safe to work with people who may be vulnerable. Staff received training and the support needed to carry out their role. Staff undertook training when they first started working at the service. Staff updated their training regularly to ensure they were up to date with best practice.

Where there were restrictions placed on people, these were done within legal requirements, such as the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff were knowledgeable about how to support each person to minimise risks to themselves while enabling them to have a fulfilled and enjoyable life. The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way. Where restrictive intervention practices were used, these were documented and supported people to remain safe.

People received their medicines from staff who had been trained to administer mednage the storage, administration and disposal of medicines.

The manager had registered with the Care Quality Commission and understood their responsibilities. Audits and checks were carried out to ensure the safety and quality of the service. Senior managers visited the service regularly and engaged the registered manager and staff in improvements.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 5 May 2017)

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Longford on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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.

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