Longcroft

Longcroft is a spacious building situated in Lancatser. It provides accommodation for up to 14 men who are offenders with mental health conditions. At the time of our inspection the home had 12 people living there. Accommodation is provided over three floors, and includes three communal spaces and a dining room.

People’s experience of using this service:

People told us they felt safe, secure and comfortable at the home. One person explained the stepped admission to the home helped them to feel safe and added, “By the time I came into the home full time I felt much more relaxed, confident and reassured.” When we discussed safeguarding responsibilities with staff, they demonstrated a good understanding, including about reporting procedures.

People confirmed there were adequate staff numbers to meet their requirements in a timely way. Personnel files we reviewed contained required checks to ensure employees were safely recruited and suitable to work with vulnerable adults.

Care records held risk assessments intended to reduce the potential risk of inappropriate care, harm or injury. The management team had good procedures to monitor and reduce incidents.

People told us they received their medicines on time and safely. One person said, “The staff make sure I get my medication on time. They have never failed with that.” The registered manager ensured staff had training and competency-testing to underpin their related skills.

Staff confirmed they had a range of training to underpin their skills and experience. One employee commented, “I was really surprised about how much training is on offer, it's really good.”

We observed people had a wide range of choice and sufficient portions at mealtimes. Staff completed food safety training as part of the hygienic preparation of meals.

Care records we looked at evidenced a multi-disciplinary approach to each person’s continuity of care. We noted, where required, people were referred in a timely way to other services to meet their ongoing needs.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. A person told us, “All along the way my keyworker has consulted with me and we agree together about what might help and what sort of support I need.”

We observed staff consistently interacted with those who lived at Longcroft in a caring and friendly way. One person said, “The staff we have are really friendly, but professional.”

Care records we looked at showed staff used a person-centred approach to the assessment and ongoing planning of people’s support. Documentation evidenced each person was at the heart of their support planning, which focused on maximising their independence. One person said, “I have had a lot of disruption in my life and my plan is all about getting me back on track.”

People told us Longcroft was well-organised and had good leadership. They and personnel stated the management team involved them in the ongoing development of the home. A staff member commented, “The new managers are good, they are really supportive and there have been some good, positive changes to improve us as a service.”

Rating at last inspection: Good (report published 02 March 2017).

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any issues or concerns are identified we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Longcroft is a small care home in Lancaster managed by the Langley House Trust. It provides accommodation for up to 14 men with mental health illness. Car parking facilities are available on site. At the time of the inspection there were 13 people who lived at the home.

There was a registered manager in place. 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 found the service had systems in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood the process and procedure to follow.

There were appropriate numbers of skilled staff deployed to meet the needs of the people who lived at the home. They included mental health professionals and social workers. Staff had been safely recruited and were supported by the management team.

Thorough risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people whilst out in the community and within the service. These had been kept under review and had been reviewed with the individual at the centre of decision making.

Staff responsible for assisting people with their medicines had received training to ensure they had the competency and skills required. People told us they received their medicines at the times they needed them.

The registered manager demonstrated a good understanding of their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Staff showed a good knowledge of the people they supported and their capacity to make decisions. The staff we spoke with were able to describe how individual people preferred their support to be delivered and the importance of treating people with respect.

People were supported by caring staff who were supportive and respectful. One person who lived at the home said, “It helps to have someone you can turn to, trust and support you individually.”

Staff knew people they supported and provided a personalised service. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported whilst promoting independence. People who lived at Longcroft were involved in making decisions about support and guidance they required.

People were provided with support to meet their aims and goals. For example staff provided guidance and support for people who wished to live independently, further their education or employment opportunities.

We found people had access to healthcare, mental health services and social care professionals and their healthcare needs were met.

People who lived at the home knew how to raise a concern or to make a complaint. The complaints procedure was available and people said they were encouraged to raise concerns.

The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included resident meetings, quality audits and staff meetings.

We found that the home was well run in the best interests of the residents. We found that within the restrictions of the law, people were offered choices about how they were cared for and treated. Care assessments were comprehensive and translated into useful support plans. People who lived in the home were encouraged and supported to take responsibility for their own lives. There was a wide range of activities and opportunities for adult learning. Residents took responsibility for their own rooms, including the cleaning. However, staff looked at these regularly to ensure that acceptable levels of tidiness and cleanliness were maintained to avoid risk of accident or infection. The home was generally clean, with some minor issues needing attention.

Staff were well trained, supervised and supported, and there was a good staff to resident ratio. Supervision standards were for ten meetings a year. Appraisals were being introduced. Management oversight by the Langley House Trust was robust and maintained high standards. We found this to be an improving organisation with plans in place to ensure standards remained high.