Archived: Longcroft Cottage

Updated 2 July 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type:

Longcroft Cottage is a care home and provides accommodation and personal care for up to three people living with a learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder and a sensory disability. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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 and took place on 6 June 2019.

What we did:

Before the inspection, we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The provider did not receive a request from us to complete a PIR. We looked at notifications we had received. Notifications are certain events that providers are required by law to tell us about.

Both people living at the home had difficulty verbalising. However, we spoke briefly with one person, two relatives, two care staff, the cook and the registered manager. During the inspection we looked at two people’s care plans, three staff files, medicine records and other records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 2 July 2019

About the service:

Longcroft Cottage provides accommodation and personal care for up to three people living with a learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder and a sensory disability. At the time of our inspection two people were being supported by the service.

People’s experience of using this service:

People were safe. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to report concerns and understood how to keep people safe and we saw risks to people's individual safety and well-being were managed through a positive risk management process.

There were systems in place to manage safe administration and storage of medicines. People received their medicines as prescribed.

People had their individual needs assessed prior to receiving care to ensure staff were able to meet people’s needs. This included people’s emotional and well-being needs. Staff worked with various local social and health care professionals. Referrals for specialist advice were submitted in a timely manner.

People were supported by staff that had the right skills and knowledge to fulfil their roles effectively. This included an in-depth knowledge of people’s individual needs. This ensured their care was personalised and specific to their support requirements. Staff told us they were well supported by the management team.

People were supported to meet their nutritional needs and maintain an enjoyable and healthy diet. People could choose what they wanted to eat, and we saw staff supporting them appropriately.

People were treated with respect and their dignity was maintained. People were also supported to maintain their independence. One person had worked with staff, so they could now walk independently. The provider had an equality and diversity policy which stated their commitment to equal opportunities and diversity. Staff knew how to support people without breaching their rights. The provider had processes in place to maintain confidentiality.

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. This meant people were able to pursue activities they enjoyed on a regular basis.

Sufficient staff were consistently deployed to enable people to receive one to one support. This approach allowed people to bond with staff and form positive relationships. Relatives told us people benefitted from these relationships.

Relatives knew how to complain, and a complaints policy was in place. Relative’s input was valued, and they were encouraged to feedback on the quality of the service and make suggestions for improvements.

The service was well-led. Relatives and staff were complimentary of the registered manager and the management team. The registered manager promoted a positive, transparent and open culture where staff worked well as a team. The provider had effective quality assurance systems in place which were used to drive improvement. The provider worked well in partnership with other organisations.

The service met the characteristics of Good in Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.

At the last inspection in November 2016 the service was rated Requires Improvement in well-Led. We asked the service to make improvements to their quality monitoring systems. At this inspection we found these improvements had been made.

Follow up:

We will monitor all information received about the service to understand any risks that may arise and to ensure the next planned inspection is scheduled accordingly.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk