Orchid House

Updated 7 January 2021

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 CQC's response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 10 December 2020 and was announced.

Updated 7 January 2021

About the service:

Orchid House provides residential care services to adults with learning disabilities. It accommodates up to four people The home is located close to Rotherham town centre and has parking and public transport access as well as local facilities nearby.

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.

People’s experience of using this service:

Medicines were predominantly well managed, although we identified some shortfalls.

Staff were trained in relation to how to keep people safe from the risks of harm or abuse, and there was information available in the home for people using the service and staff about what action to take if abuse was suspected. However, we noted the provider had not always taken the required action when such incidents occurred.

Staff routinely promoted choice and independence, and spoke to people with respect, upholding their dignity. Care plans were highly personalised which indicated that staff understood people’s needs well. Care was reviewed regularly to ensure it met people’s needs, and where changes were required these were implemented. Each person had various programmes in place to assist them in developing skills and promoting independence, and again these programmes were regularly reviewed.

Staff were recruited safely, with appropriate background checks being made. Records showed staff received training in a wide range of relevant areas, and the deputy manager was enthusiastic about sourcing new training opportunities for staff to assist them in developing their skills.

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.

People using the service were encouraged to be involved in meal planning and preparation, and people using the service told us they valued this. “We pick what food we like” one person told us.

There was a complaints system in place. We saw where complaints had been made, investigations were undertaken and complainants received a written response.

There was a system in place for monitoring the quality of service people received, and making ongoing improvements as part of the monitoring system

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.

Rating at last inspection:

The last rating for this service was good (published 14 April 2017)

Why we inspected:

This was a planned comprehensive inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up:

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

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