• Care Home
  • Care home

Lulus

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

3 Tasman Drive, Mundesley, Norwich, NR11 8XH (01263) 478188

Provided and run by:
Allcare Community Support Limited

All Inspections

15 February 2022

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Lulus is a residential home for up to three younger adults with a learning disability or who are on the autistic spectrum. The home is in a residential area in a seaside location. There were two younger adults living at Lulus at the time of this inspection. Due to people’s complex needs, the provider had decided not to admit any further people into the service.

We found the following examples of good practice.

People had been supported to take an active role in their community, in line with COVID-19 government guidance, and to maintain relationships with those that were important to them. One relative we spoke with told us that while the service had always adhered to government guidance, “The staff do everything to make sure I see [person who uses the service]; nothing is too much trouble for them.”

The risks relating to COVID-19 had been assessed for both those that lived at the service, and for staff, on an individual basis and with mitigating measures in place. These included such measures as regular testing, vaccinations, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and considering the risks associated with environments where visits were taking place. The relatives we spoke with told us they felt their family members were safe living at Lulus.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the needs of the people they supported, and the risks associated with infection prevention and control, particularly around COVID-19, and were dedicated to keeping the people who used the service safe. The relatives we spoke with agreed.

The home was observed to be visibly clean, personalised but uncluttered and spacious to allow for social distancing as required. Ventilation was seen throughout the home to help mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19. Relatives agreed the home was consistently clean with one telling us, “The home is spotless.”

10 July 2019

During a routine inspection

About the service

Lulus is a respite service providing accommodation and personal care to two younger adults at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to three people.

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

We found staff had not completed all of the training set by the provider. Our observations and discussions with staff assured us they had the skills and knowledge to support people with their care needs. We were told training had been sourced for staff who had not completed all of their training.

Quality checks were in place to monitor and assess the quality of service being delivered but these did not identify staff had not completed all of their training. Audits of other areas of the service identified shortfalls in the service and remedial action was taken in relation to this.

We made a recommendation to implement systems to maintain oversight of staff training.

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.

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.

Risks relating to people’s individual needs had been identified and planned for. Staff had received training in safeguarding people from abuse and understood how to report any concerns. There were consistently enough staff to meet people’s needs and there were safe recruitment practices in place.

People’s medicines were managed in a safe way by staff who had been trained to administer medicines.

Environmental risks had been identified and there were plans in place to mitigate known risks. There was regular servicing of gas and electrical appliances and fire-fighting equipment.

The service was clean throughout and staff observed good practice in relation to infection control.

Staff worked collaboratively with people’s wider care team to ensure people received consistent care appropriate to their needs. People were supported to maintain a healthy nutritional intake.

People received individualised care from staff who understood their needs. Care plans were person-centred and detailed how to involve people in making choices about their care. Staff communicated with people according to their needs using a variety of methods.

There was clear and visible leadership in place and the service promoted a person-centred culture. People, their relatives and staff were involved in contributing ideas and feedback about the service and how it could improve.

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

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection.

This service was registered with us on 23/08/2018 and this is the first inspection.

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.