The Old Red Lion

Updated 22 June 2018

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 21 March 2018 and was announced. This was because we wanted to be sure that the people who lived in the service would be at home. The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

We did not request a Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. However, we offered the provider the opportunity to share relevant information with us during the inspection.

Before the inspection we reviewed any information we held about the service. We reviewed safeguarding alerts and notifications that had been sent to us. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law.

During our inspection we spoke with the area manager, two team leaders and two support workers. We also observed staff interacting with people in communal areas, providing care and support. Following our inspection we spoke with two relatives by telephone and the registered manager. In addition, the area manager sent us further information to support our inspection.

We looked at a range of records related to the running and the quality of the service. These included three staff recruitment and induction files, staff training information, meeting minutes and arrangements for managing complaints. We looked at the quality assurance audits that the registered manager and the provider completed. We also looked at care plans for four people and medicine administration records for five people.

Updated 22 June 2018

The Old Red Lion 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 care home accommodates six younger adults across two separate buildings: the Main House and the Coach House with specially adapted facilities. There were five younger adults living in the care home on the day of our inspection.

The care service has been developed and designed 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 learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Systems and processes were in place to keep people safe from the risk of harm and abuse. People had their medicines administered safely by trained and competent staff. The service was clean and staff adhered to safe infection control practices.

Where people were unable to make decisions for themselves staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and adhered to national guidance.

Prior to admission people had their care needs assessed and their care was planned in line with up to date guidance and legislation. There were sufficient staff to care for a person's individual needs and staff were trained appropriately. People were provided with a balanced and nutritious diet and had timely access to a range of healthcare services.

People were cared for by kind, caring and compassionate staff and staff had a good understanding of individual needs. People and staff got on well together and the service had a family atmosphere. People were cared for as unique individuals and their privacy and dignity were respected.

Staff communicated with people in a way that helped the person understand what was being said to them. People had a structured programme of internal and external activities tailored to individual needs and skills.

Relatives spoke highly of the care they received and the attitude of staff. Staff enjoyed working at the service and were proud of their achievements. The provider had a robust approach to monitoring the quality of the care people receive. The registered manager had built a good relationship with key organisations and the local community.

Further information is in the detailed findings below