30 October 2018
During a routine inspection
Ashley Lodge is registered to provide care and support to 11 people with learning disabilities and autism in three ‘homes’ within Ashley Lodge: the house, the annexe and the bungalow. Ten people were living in the home at the time of our inspection, and one person was in the process of being assessed before they moved in.
The care service has been developed and designed in line with values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
A registered manager was in post. 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 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.
At our last inspection on 31 March 2016, we rated the service overall as Good. The key questions Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive were rated Good. The key question Well-led was rated Requires Improvement. This was because quality assurance and risk management systems did not always show how checks were completed to ensure the service was meeting the requirements of the regulations.
At this inspection, on 30 October 2018, improvements had been made and the key question Well-led is now rated as Good. We found the evidence continued to support the overall rating of Good. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going 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.
Why the service continues to be rated as Good.
People were protected from harm and abuse. Staff had received training and understood their responsibilities regarding safeguarding people.
People’s medicines were safely managed and people received medicines when they needed them.
People were treated with kindness and respect. People’s privacy was respected and their independence promoted.
People’s care and support was delivered in a way that met their diverse needs and promoted equality.
Staff were aware of the importance of supporting people to make choices. They worked within the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
Safe recruitment procedures were completed. Sufficient staff were deployed to make sure people’s needs were met. Staff received supervision and training to enable them to meet people’s needs.
Quality monitoring systems and checks were completed to make sure shortfalls were promptly identified and improvements made.
The proprietor, registered manager and staff team worked well and in partnership with external health professionals to support care provision.