Foresters Lodge

We found the following examples of good practice.

• Effective systems were in place to ensure visitors to the service followed government guidelines for wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Facilities were available for visitors to sanitise their hands and put on PPE. Screening questions and a temperature check were standard requirements for all visitors.

• The service had good supplies of PPE that were readily available in stations throughout the service. Clinical waste bins were positioned so that staff could access them when required.

• Staff had received update training on how to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The service was following national guidance for admitting people to the care home. Staff supported people to understand the procedures in place to keep them safe and the required isolation procedures.

• People and staff received regular COVID-19 tests in line with the government's current testing programme. Staff maintained social distancing where possible and the environment promoted people to remain socially distanced.

• Staff had received infection control training. Cleaning schedules had been enhanced to include more frequent cleaning of touch points such as handrails and light switches.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People felt safe and staff had been trained and understood their responsibilities around safeguarding adults and reporting concerns.

Risks to people’s physical and mental health had been identified and guidance was available for staff to manage those risks. The environment and equipment was safely maintained.

Staff recruitment was robust and there were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Staff were well trained in basic care and in specialist subjects giving them the knowledge they required to care for people who used the service.

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.

People had access to a nursing team within the service and other healthcare professionals from the community such as their GP or community mental health team. They each had a health passport with details of their care needs, for those times they needed to visit other services such as hospitals.

Staff maintained positive relationships with people and showed care and compassion in their interactions.

Staff were caring whilst maintaining positive relationships with people. Feedback was positive from people, their families and professionals.

There was a quality monitoring system in place which identified where improvements were needed. Lessons learned were discussed at monthly managers meetings where issues had been identified.

People and staff were invited to share their views and give feedback about the service. They attended regular meetings where they could discuss any issues related to the day to day running of the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The home is registered to provide accommodation and care (including nursing care) for up to 55 people. The home provides support to younger adults and older people, people with physical disabilities and sensory impairment, and people who are living with dementia. On the day of the inspection there were 52 people living at the home, including three people who were having respite care. The home is situated in Bridlington, a seaside town in the East Riding of Yorkshire. There are two units within the home, Maple and Oak. Each unit has lounge areas, dining areas, bedrooms, bathrooms and toilets, although the main dining room is used by people in both units for eating meals and taking part in activities. There is a passenger lift so people are able to access the first floor if they cannot use the stairs.

The registered provider is required to have a registered manager in post and on the day of the inspection there was a manager who was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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.

On the day of the inspection we saw that there were sufficient numbers of staff employed to meet people's individual needs. New staff had been employed following robust recruitment and selection policies and this ensured that only people considered suitable to work with vulnerable people were working at Foresters Lodge.

People told us that they felt safe living at the home. People were protected from the risks of harm or abuse because there were effective systems in place to manage any safeguarding concerns. The registered manager and care staff were trained in safeguarding adults from abuse and understood their responsibilities in respect of protecting people from the risk of harm.

Staff told us that they were well supported by the registered provider and registered manager, and felt that they were valued. They confirmed that they received induction training when they were new in post and told us that they were happy with the training provided for them. This included training on the administration of medication. We checked medication systems and saw that medicines were stored, recorded and administered safely.

People told us that staff were caring and that their privacy and dignity was respected. They said that they received the support they required from staff.

People's nutritional needs had been assessed and people told us they were very happy with the food provided. We observed that people’s individual food and drink requirements were met.

We saw that any complaints made to the home had been thoroughly investigated and that people had been provided with details of the investigation and outcome. There were also systems in place to seek feedback from people who lived at the home, relatives and staff.

Staff, people who lived at the home, relatives and a social care professional told us that the home was well managed. Quality audits undertaken by the registered provider and manager were designed to identify any areas of improvement to staff practice that would promote people’s safety. Staff told us that, on occasions, feedback received at the home was used as a learning opportunity and to make improvements to the service provided.

We found that improvements had been made to medication record keeping within the service.

We observed that there were good interactions between the staff and people, with friendly and supportive care practices being used to assist people in their daily lives. People were supported to be able to eat and drink sufficient amounts to meet their needs. Everyone we spoke with said they received sufficient drinks and meals and one relative said 'X is totally dependent on the staff, they are amazing as I can see X's health improving.'

People told us 'We get our medicine on time and when we need it', but we found that appropriate arrangements were not in place in relation to recording, handling and safely administering medicines to people who used the service.

Robust employment and recruitment practices were in place. Discussion with people and relatives indicated they were satisfied with the competency of the staff employed by the provider.

The provider had an effective quality assurance system in place and people's views and opinions of the service were listened to and acted on where necessary.

The provider had a domiciliary service operating from this location. We spoke to five people who used the service and looked at care records and documentation. People told us 'I am very happy with the service', I can highly recommend this service' and 'I find the staff professional and caring.' We have commented on the personal care service at the end of each standard.