Lingfield

Updated 15 March 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 2 inspectors and 1 inspection manager.

Service and service type

Lingfield is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Lingfield is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at 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

This inspection was unannounced. Inspection activity started on 1 February 2023 and ended on 6 February 2023. We visited the location’s service on 1 February 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 4 people and 2 relatives of people who used the service about their experience of the care provided and we spent time observing people receiving care and support. We spoke with 4 members of staff including the registered manager, and support workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 people's care records and 2 medicines records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed. We received feedback from 1 health professional who worked alongside the service.

Updated 15 March 2023

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and 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 supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

About the service

Lingfield is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care support to up to 6 people with learning disabilities and autistic people. At the time of the inspection, 4 people were receiving a regulated activity.

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

Right Support

The opportunity for people to carry out individual pursuits was impacted by staffing levels. The provision of additional one to one support to enable full choice and control for people was unclear.

Risks were managed well to keep people safe while promoting their independence and staff supported people to access healthcare services when they needed them. People were not supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives due to the use of one to one time and staffing levels. However, staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Right Care

Staff knew people well and provided them with the support they needed to keep safe and to meet their individual care needs. People were protected from discrimination. People were treated with dignity and their privacy was respected. Staff were kind and caring. They treated people with respect and encouraged them to make decisions about their care and support. One person told us, “They are kind and treat me well”.

Right Culture

There was a positive ethos at the service and a culture of open communication and familiarity. People were encouraged to give their views about the support they received and work as a team in the running of the household. Staff had inclusive attitudes and encouraged people to be as independent as possible.

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 this service was good (published 26 February 2018).

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.