We carried out a review of the data available to us about The Cedars (Mansfield) on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about The Cedars (Mansfield), you can give feedback on this service.
The Cedars (Mansfield) is a care home providing personal care to seven people living with a learning disability or autism.
The property was slightly larger than most domestic style properties and registered for the support of up to seven. Although this is larger than current best practice guidance, this was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people. There were also excellent links with the local community.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People commented they received good care; staff were patient, kind and caring.
Relatives and staff told us the home was safe. Staff understood the importance of keeping people; they had a good knowledge of safeguarding and the whistle blowing procedure. Although they hadn’t needed to raise concerns, they felt supported to do so if required. Previous safeguarding concerns had been reported and thoroughly investigated.
There were enough staff to provide personalised care and give people the time they needed. New staff were recruited safely.
People received their medicines as prescribed. Effective action was taken in response to accidents in the home, to prevent a further occurrence and learn lessons. Health and safety checks and risk assessments were completed to help maintain a safe environment.
Staff were well supported and received the training they needed. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink and to access health care when needed.
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's needs had been fully assessed; the information gathered was used to develop detailed and personalised care plans.
People were supported to participate in activities of interest to them; people regularly accessed their local community.
Staff and relatives told us the home was well managed. There were regular opportunities people, relatives and staff to share their views. Quality assurance checks were effective in ensuring the home was continually improving.
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 17 March 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.
The Cedars (Mansfield) provides accommodation and personal care for up to seven people living with learning disabilities and an autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection there were seven people living at the service.
The Cedars (Mansfield) is required to have 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. At the time of the inspection the registered manager was in post but not available on the day of the inspection.
Staff had received safeguarding training and were aware of their role and responsibilities to protect people. They told us they would be confident to use the whistleblowing procedure in the service to report any poor practice they might observe or became aware of.
Risks associated to people’s needs and the environment were assessed, planned for and monitored. Staff had been appropriately recruited, checks had been completed in relation to safety and suitability before they commenced their employment. There were sufficient staff deployed appropriately and staffing levels were flexible to meet people’s individual needs.
People received their prescribed medicines appropriately and medicines were stored and managed safely.
Staff received an induction and ongoing training and support, to enable them to carry out their role effectively and safely.
Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. Staff demonstrated their commitment to ensuring people were involved as fully as possible in making choices about how they wanted their care and support to be provided. People were appropriately protected under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
People received support to ensure their nutritional needs were met. People were involved in menu planning and their preferences and independence were encouraged. People were supported with their health needs and accessed community health services when required. Staff worked well with external healthcare professionals.
People were supported by kind, caring and compassionate staff that showed respect and promoted independence. Staff were knowledgeable about people’s individual needs and what was important to them.
People had access to independent advocacy information should they have required this support. People were involved as fully as possible in reviews of their care to ensure the support provided met their needs. There were various care records and documents about people’s needs, but it was not clear how this information linked together and was used to monitor and review people’s needs, goals and aspirations.
People were supported by staff to follow interests and hobbies important to them. Staff had a person centred approach to the care and support provided. Systems were in place for receiving, handling and responding appropriately to complaints.
People had regular opportunities to provide feedback on the care and support they received in order to continue to drive forward improvements in the service.
Robust quality assurance systems were in place in order to ensure that that people received high quality, safe and effective care and support. The provider and registered manager were meeting their regulatory responsibilities.