Dolphin Lane

Updated 19 December 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 30 November 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 19 December 2020

This was an unannounced inspection which took place on 17 and 20 August 2018. At the last inspection in December 2015 the service was rated good. At this inspection we found the provider had improved the service to achieve an outstanding rating.

Dolphin Lane is a ‘care home’ registered to provide care for people with learning disabilities. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Dolphin Lane accommodates up to 15 people in one adapted building.

The care service was developed and designed many years ago, and in the main the provider ensured the service operated in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with a learning disability and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. Although the service did not meet these principles in terms of the number of people it accommodated, this was mitigated by the fact that there was a vision for the long term development of the service.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were supported by staff to lead fulfilling lives, ranging from gaining education and employment to achieving their ‘hopes and dreams’. The service went the ‘extra mile’ to ensure that people were able to engage with their hobbies and interests as much as possible.

The service had made extensive efforts to integrate the service with the local community, this included charity events designed and chosen by people to give back to the community, engaging with local councillors and ministers and giving people encouragement to speak up about how local services could improve the lives of people with learning disabilities.

We saw how staff went ‘above and beyond’ in caring for people at the end of their lives. People received highly person- centred care. Care plans were designed and reviewed in partnership with people, with outcome-focused goals. The service was able to evidence how it had helped people learn new skills and form and maintain meaningful relationships.

There were enough staff who had been recruited safely to deliver care. There was a consistent care team, and each person had a named keyworker. This ensured good continuity of care.

People were supported to maintain good health. This included access to healthcare professionals, eating and drinking enough, and support with their medicines. People were supported to take their medicines safely.

Staff were skilled enough to meet people’s needs. Staff were supported through regular supervisions and appraisals. Staff spoke very positively about the leadership and the open and positive culture of the service, and felt well supported by the registered manager

Everyone we spoke with told us staff were kind, caring and compassionate. Staff supported people to maintain independent lives, and people told us their privacy and dignity was protected.

There were appropriate governance systems in place to ensure quality of care was monitored and improved. The service was a high performer within the provider’s network of services both in terms of training levels and staff survey feedback. There was a clear vision for the future development of the service.

The service engaged positively with people using the service and took their ideas into account. People felt they were listened to and their contributions were valued. People were proud of the service and helped maintain it by cleaning and tidying communal areas.