Concord Lodge

Updated 1 October 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.

Service and service type

Concord 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. The registered manager was on sick leave at the time of our inspection. The service was being supported by a senior manager until the registered managers return.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection.

We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service.

We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided.

We spoke with seven members of staff including a senior manager, deputy managers, and senior care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision.

A range of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed. We also inspected a number of quality monitoring audits.

Updated 1 October 2019

About the service

Concord Lodge is a residential care home providing personal for up to seven people. Concord Lodge is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for people with learning disabilities and complex needs. The service is a residential assessment unit and provides self-contained flats for people. The aim of the service is to assess people and find them suitable long-term care and accommodation. At the time of our inspection the service was providing support to six people.

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

The service had maintained the same positive outcomes for people as was the case at our last inspection. 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.

Risks were minimised and to support people to be safe risks to people were identified and when needed a risk plan was in place. Staffing numbers were sufficient to meet people’s needs. This meant people were supported safely. People told us they felt safe living at the service.

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.

Staff were well supported and well trained. New staff did a full induction training programme which prepared them for their role. Training was completed in essential matters to ensure staff and people at the service were safe. Staff were formally supported through supervision meetings.

People were supported to maintain good health and went to see external health care professionals when required.

Staff were caring towards people and there was a good relationship between people and staff. Staff demonstrated and in-depth understanding of the needs and preferences of the people they cared for.

Support provided to people met their needs. Care records contained clear and detailed personalised information about what was important to people and how to support them. People were involved in activities of their choice.

There were systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service. Staff described the registered manager and other senior staff as supportive and approachable.

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

Rating at last inspection

The service was rated Good at our last Inspection in 2017.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.