Archived: Larkrise

Updated 31 December 2014

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 inspection took place on 14 October 2014 and was unannounced. It was carried out by a single inspector. Before the inspection we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We did not receive a copy of the PIR because the form had been sent to the former registered manager, who had left the service in May 2014. We reviewed other information we had about the service including notifications we received this year relating to safeguarding concerns about people.

During our inspection none of the people using the service were able to share their experiences with us due to their complex needs and ability to communicate verbally. So, in order to understand their experiences of using the service, we spent some time observing how they received care and support from staff in the home. We spoke with the manager, three support workers and a relative of one of the people using the service. We looked at records which included three care plans, three staff files and other records relating to the management of the service.

After the visit we contacted four relatives of people using service, and staff from the local authority and asked them for their views about Larkrise.

Updated 31 December 2014

This inspection took place on 14 October 2014 and was unannounced.

Larkrise is a small care home which provides accommodation for up to six young adults with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were five people, all male, living at the service. Each person had their own room with en-suite facilities. There was a large communal lounge, sensory room, kitchen, dining room and laundry room. At the rear of the home there was a large well maintained garden.

The service is required to have a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.  The registered manager on our records left the service in May 2014. We were notified at the time, by the provider. A new manager has since been appointed and had made the appropriate registered manager application to the CQC.

At the last inspection on 11 October 2013 we found the service was meeting the regulations we looked at.

Relatives told us people were safe at Larkrise. Staff knew how to protect people if they suspected they were at risk of abuse or harm. Risks to people’s health, safety and wellbeing had been assessed and staff knew to minimise and manage these to keep people safe from harm or injury in the home and community. The home, and equipment within it, was regularly checked to ensure it was safe. Medicines were stored and administered safely.

People were cared for by staff who received appropriate training and support to meet their needs. Staff felt supported by managers. There were enough staff to support people to live a full, active and independent life as possible in the home and community. We observed staff that supported people had a good understanding of their needs. They supported people in a way which was kind, caring, and respectful.

Staff encouraged and supported people to keep healthy and well through regular monitoring of their general health and by ensuring people attended medical and healthcare appointments. People were encouraged to eat a well-balanced, healthy and nutritious diet. Where there were any issues or concerns about a person’s health or wellbeing staff ensured they received prompt and appropriate care and attention from healthcare professionals.

Care plans were developed which reflected people’s diverse needs and their individual choices and beliefs for how they lived their lives. People’s relatives and other healthcare professionals were actively involved in supporting them to make decisions about their care and support needs. Where people were unable to make complex decisions about their care and support, staff ensured appropriate procedures were followed to ensure decisions were made in their best interests.

Relatives told us they were comfortable raising any concerns they had with staff and knew how to make a complaint if needed. They said concerns raised in the past had been listened to and dealt with responsively. 

There were systems in place to monitor the safety and quality of the service provided. Learning from incidents and investigations had been used to make improvements and changes to the service that people wanted or needed.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes and hospitals. The provider had policies and procedures in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and DoLS. Staff had been trained to understand when an application should be made and in how to submit one. This helped to ensure that people were safeguarded as required by the legislation.