We carried out a review of the data available to us about Gosford Lodge 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 Gosford Lodge, you can give feedback on this service.
Gosford Lodge is a care home which provides care and support for up to eight people who have learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions or additional needs. At the time of our inspection, five people were living there. The service is in a detached property and consists of communal living areas and individual en-suite bedrooms.
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 safe and protected from avoidable harm or abuse. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. The service had systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities when concerns were identified. Where risks had been identified, assessments were in place and action was taken to manage risks where possible. Staff were aware of people’s needs and followed guidance to ensure they were safe.
People were supported by enough staff and vacant posts were being filled. Staff were safely recruited and received training which equipped them to effectively carry out the requirements of their job. Staff felt supported and received regular supervision.
People’s needs and preferences were assessed before they came to the service and these were regularly reviewed. Care plans gave guidance to staff about what people could do for themselves and how best to provide support.
People were supported to have choice and control in 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.
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 now focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
People were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their individual needs and preferences and to remain healthy. People had access to routine and specialist healthcare services. Staff worked with other agencies and professionals to ensure people received effective care which met their needs.
The feedback we received reflected recent improvements in the service. The staff we saw were positive and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. Staff knew people well, and spent time finding out how they could best meet their individual needs. People were encouraged to participate in meaningful activities and maintain relationships with friends or families.
The management team provided consistent leadership. This had enabled improvements to be made and supported the service in continuing to develop the care and support people received. The registered manager had worked in collaboration with colleagues and other professionals to continue to improve the service. Systems were in place to monitor and review quality and performance, and actions were taken when shortfalls were identified.
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 (report published 01 July 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.
Gosford Lodge provides accommodation for up to eight people who require nursing or personal care, specifically people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. On the day of our inspection seven people were living at the service.
A new manager was in post who was registering with the Care Quality Commission to become the registered manager. 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.
We were greeted warmly by people and staff at the service. The atmosphere was open and friendly. The team displayed a transparent and honest culture where management and staff were keen to learn and improve.
People told us they were safe. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. Staff had received regular training to make sure they stayed up to date with recognising and reporting safety concerns. The service had systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities where concerns were identified.
People were supported by staff that were knowledgeable about people’s needs and provided support with compassion and kindness. People received high quality care that was personalised and met their needs.
Where risks to people had been identified, risk assessments were in place and action had been taken to manage the risks. This included risks relating to relationships and epilepsy. Staff were aware of people’s needs and followed guidance to keep them safe. People received their medicines as prescribed.
Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and applied its principles in their work. The MCA protects the rights of people who may not be able to make particular decisions themselves. The manager was knowledgeable about the MCA and how to ensure the rights of people who lacked capacity were protected, this included people who were deprived of their liberty.
There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. Staff responded promptly where people required assistance. The service had robust recruitment procedures and conducted background checks to ensure staff were suitable for their role.
The service responded to people’s changing needs. People and their families were involved in their care and how their care progressed and developed.
Staff spoke extremely positively about the support they received from the manager. Staff supervisions and meetings were scheduled as were annual appraisals. Staff told us the manager was very approachable and supportive and that there was a very good level of communication and trust within the service.
The service sought people's views and opinions. Relatives told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken if they raised a concern.
People had sufficient to eat and drink. Where people required special diets, for example, pureed or fortified meals, these were provided. People were encouraged and supported to prepare their meals.
People were encouraged to engage in activities and pursue hobbies and relationships. Staff supported people to be independent and were knowledgeable regarding people’s hobbies and interests.
The manager monitored the quality of service and looked for continuous improvement. Accidents and incidents were investigated, analysed and action was taken to prevent reoccurrence. Learning from incidents was shared with staff to keep people safe.