Background to this inspection
Updated
6 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 inspector, a mental health nurse specialist advisor and one Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
Charnwood Lodge 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
The inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We sought feedback from a local authority commissioner. We reviewed information we had received about the service since our previous inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return 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.
During the inspection
We spent time observing the care people received. This was so we could understand the experiences of care provided for people who could not speak to us. We had brief conversations with four people who used the service. We spoke with the registered manager, four care staff and the cook.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records, medication records and behaviour management records. We looked at one staff file in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service including minutes of meetings, audits, policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
6 December 2019
About the service
Charnwood Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 17 adults and young adults with a learning disability, autism and/or mental health needs. There were 13 people using the service at the time of our inspection.
Charnwood Lodge is a large, older building spread over three floors. There is no lift which means it may not be accessible for some people. Each bedroom had ensuite facilities and some had a kitchenette.
The home was registered with the CQC prior to the CQC's publication of 'Registering the Right Support' guidance for homes for people with learning disabilities and autism. This recommends that homes should cater for a maximum of six people. The provider had tried to reduce the need for people to use large communal areas by providing cooking facilities and eating and sitting areas in each person's 'flat' or bedroom so they did not have to engage with a larger group of people if they did not wish to.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The care and support people received at Charnwood Lodge was safe. Staff knew how to protect people from avoidable harm and abuse. The service had robust protocols for managing incidents and took steps to mitigate and minimise the reoccurrence of risk.
We have made a recommendation about end of life care planning.
Medicines management practices were safe. The provider had made improvements to the service which minimised the risk of contracting and spreading an infection.
Staff were trained and skilled in meeting the needs of people who used the service. They had good support, knowledge and experience of meeting people’s complex behavioural needs. They collaborated well with health professionals to ensure the support people received was consistent.
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. Where relevant, people's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
Staff were kind and supported people in a compassionate manner. They treated people with utmost dignity and respect. They involved and supported people to express their wishes about the care.
The support people received was tailored to their individual needs. Staff had a good knowledge of people’s history and preference and used these to plan and deliver effective care which improved people’s outcomes.
The service had improved since our last inspection. We saw improved outcomes for people who lived at Charnwood Lodge during our previous inspection. The provider had employed an experienced registered manager who supported staff well and maintained good oversight of the service.
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 Requires Improvement (published 01 November 2018).
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.