Background to this inspection
Updated
16 April 2021
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection, we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
Orchid House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority ahead of our inspection. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We used a Makaton questionnaire to obtain feedback from six people who did not communicate verbally. Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. We reviewed a range of records. These included four people's care records and medication records. We looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including health and safety records, accidents/incidents logs and quality assurance systems.
After the inspection
We spoke to four relatives of people using the service.
Updated
16 April 2021
About the service
Orchid House is a residential care home that was providing personal care and support for six adults with learning disabilities and autism at the time of the inspection. The service is registered to support up to six people and accommodates five people in one building and one person in a self-contained annexe attached to the building.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People using the service felt safe. Staff had received training to enable them to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and they felt confident in how to report these types of concerns. People had risk assessments in place to enable them to be as independent as they could be in a safe manner. There were sufficient staff with the correct skill mix on duty to support people with their required needs and keep them safe. Medicines were managed safely.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff provided them with care in the least restrictive way possible and acted in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service promoted this practice. Staff were supported through training and meetings to maintain their skills and knowledge to support people. People were provided with a varied diet which met their needs and preferences. People attended regular appointments and annual health reviews. Staff worked with other professionals for advice, guidance and support.
People received care and support in a caring environment which promoted their privacy, dignity and independence. The provider took steps to make sure people could be involved in making decisions about their care and support.
People's support was individualised. People were supported to take part in a range of in-house and outdoor activities. People's interests, preferences, likes and dislikes were known to staff. The provider had a complaint process which people were aware of and people felt able to voice any concerns.
People’s relatives and staff felt supported by the registered manager. The provider had systems and processes in place to ensure the quality and safety of service. However, the systems were not always effective resulting in gaps in the records.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. Care provided to people living at Orchid House was person-centred and promoted people’s dignity, privacy, their choices and their independence. People felt empowered due to the strong ethos, positive behaviours and attitudes of the staff team.
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 the service under the previous provider was requires improvement, published on 27 January 2020.
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.