The Conifers

Updated 16 March 2022

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.

As part of the Care Quality Commission’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 19 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 16 March 2022

About the service:

The Conifers is a care home providing personal care to 29 people with a learning disability at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 30 people. The accommodation is made up of the main home, plus nine separate self-contained flats on the same site.

The service 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 receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

The service was registered for the support of up to 30 people, which 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. There were deliberately no identifying signs outside to indicate it was a care home.

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

People told us they were comfortable and well cared for at The Conifers. People benefitted from a consistent staff and management team who knew them well. Staff were aware of risks to people’s safety and wellbeing and acted to mitigate these. Staff were knowledgeable about how to identify and report any signs of abuse and people received their medicines in line with their prescription.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were offered choice and involved in decisions. People had an annual health check and were supported to access any healthcare services they needed. Staff had been proactive in identifying and supporting people with health issues.

Staff were caring and treated people with respect. People’s independence was promoted, leading to positive outcomes for individuals. Detailed care plans were in place, so staff knew how to support people in line with their needs and preferences. People had opportunity to take part in activities at the service and in the community.

Management systems and records were well maintained and organised. Checks were conducted to monitor the quality and safety of the service. This included audits and feedback questionnaires. The management team promoted a positive, person-centred culture. We received very positive feedback about the management of the service; staff told us they felt well supported and there was good team work.

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

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection the service was rated Good overall (published 5 April 2017).

Why we inspected:

This was a scheduled inspection based on the service’s 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.