Alcott Lane

Updated 28 January 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 1 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

Alcott Lane is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and we looked at both during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that a member of staff would be available to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 21 November 2022 and ended on 08 December 2022. We visited the location on 23 November 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we received about the service since they registered with us. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 2 people who lived at the service about their experience of care provided. We spoke with 7 members of staff, including a representative of the provider, the registered manager, the deputy manager and 4 care staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 people's care records and medication records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. We reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We reviewed training data and quality assurance records. We received feedback from 1 health and social care professional.

Updated 28 January 2023

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 statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

About the service

Alcott Lane is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 4. The service provides support to adults with learning disabilities and/or autistic people. At the time of our inspection there were 2 people living at the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right Care:

Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. There were enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe. Staff assessed people's risks appropriately and encouraged and enabled people to take positive risks.

People could communicate with staff and understand information given to them because staff supported them consistently and understood their individual communication needs. We observed positive interactions between people and staff. People's care and treatment support plans reflected their range of needs and this promoted their wellbeing and enjoyment of life.

The service had effective infection, prevention and control measures to keep people safe, including good arrangements for keeping the premises clean and hygienic.

Right Support:

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. Staff focused on people's strengths and promoted what they could do, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life. Staff supported people to take part in activities and pursue their interests in their local area.

Systems were followed by staff to ensure medicines were managed safely. People were supported to access healthcare services to promote their wellbeing and help them to live healthy lives. People received support to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet and were involved in choosing their food, shopping and planning their meals.

Right Culture:

People led inclusive and empowered lives because of the ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the management and staff. People received good quality care and support because trained staff could meet their needs and wishes. People were supported by staff who understood best practice in relation to the wide range of strengths, impairments or sensitivities people with a learning disability and/or autistic people may have. This meant people received compassionate and empowering care that was tailored to their needs.

People were supported by a staff team who knew them well. Staff showed a genuine interest in people's well-being and quality of life. They were kind, caring and nurturing and as a result we saw people were at ease, happy, engaged and stimulated.

For more information, please read the detailed findings section of this report. If you are reading this as a separate summary, the full report can be found on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection:

Alcott Lane registered with us on 15 July 2021. This is the first inspection of this service.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.