EAM Lodge CIC

Updated 23 February 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 CQC’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 1 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 23 February 2022

About the service

EAM Lodge CIC (known as EAM Lodge) is a nursing home providing personal and nursing care to five young adults who have complex needs. The service can also support one person on a respite basis. Each person had their own room, with the use of a shared accessible bathroom. There is a large accessible garden to the rear of the property.

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 and what we found

People were observed to be relaxed and engaged with the care staff. Relatives were very positive about EAM Lodge and the kind and caring staff.

People’s needs and possible risks were assessed, and clear guidance given on how staff would meet these identified needs.

People’s complex health and nutritional needs were being met. Referrals were made to medical professionals appropriately. Staff knew where people required a modified diet; however, they did not always record when they added a thickener to fluids to reduce the risk of choking.

People received their medicines as prescribed. There was a safe system for the ordering, storage and recording of medicines.

A new management structure had been introduced. The registered manager was responsible for three small homes and an operations manager had been appointed for EAM Lodge. Staff enjoyed working at the home and said the management team were open, approachable and supportive.

Staff champions had been appointed for a variety of areas, including dignity, infection control and communication. The champions were starting to complete audits for the service, monitored by the operations and registered managers. The registered manager had completed a full audit of all areas in March 2019. Actions identified had been addressed.

People’s communication needs were identified. Easy read information for a wide variety of topics was available. Staff read through the guides with people to assist their understanding.

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 were supported to take part in a variety of activities, both within the home and in their local community. Friendships had developed through these activities. With local people being invited to one person’s birthday party and other events at the home.

Staff were safely recruited. People living at the service were involved in the recruitment process if they wanted to be.

Staff were positive about the training and support they received. Training was all up to date and annual observations of staff competency were completed. Staff found their supervision meetings and team meetings supportive and informative.

All incidents were recorded. A rigorous process was in place to investigate any incidents or complaints. Lessons learnt were shared across the providers three homes.

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.

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 good (published 10 January 2017).

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.