Langley Oaks

Updated 4 January 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.

This was a comprehensive inspection which took place on 5 December 2017 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of two inspectors and an Expert by Experience. This is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included the provider information return (PIR). The PIR 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. We also reviewed information about the service such as notifications they are required to submit to the CQC about significant events.

During our inspection we spoke to 6 people who lived at the home and four visiting relatives. We spoke to the senior staff team which consisted of the registered manager, the deputy manager and two team leaders. In addition we spoke to four care support workers.

We looked at records which included five people’s care records, medicines administration records (MARs) for 10 people, staff training and supervision records and other records relating to the management of the service. We undertook general observations throughout our visit and used the short observational framework for inspection (SOFI) during lunchtime. SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

Updated 4 January 2018

Care UK Community Partnerships Ltd are registered to provide accommodation, personal care and/or nursing care for up to 40 older people at Langley Oaks. However they are only contractually obliged by the commissioning local authority to provide personal and nursing care to people. Another service provider maintained the premises and equipment and provided the cleaning and laundry service and catering provision. Notwithstanding this arrangement, as the registered provider, Care UK Community Partnerships Ltd retains overall responsibility for ensuring all the legal requirements are met in relation to the accommodation, care and support provided to people. At the time of this inspection there were 36 people using the service. The service specialises in supporting people living with dementia.

At the last inspection of the service in September 2015 the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People continued to be safe at Langley Oaks. Staff knew how to protect people from the risk of abuse or harm and followed the provider’s safeguarding policy and procedure for reporting concerns promptly. Risks to people's health, safety and wellbeing were assessed and reviewed and staff followed appropriate guidance to minimise these risks. Senior staff routinely analysed accidents and incidents to identify specific patterns of behaviour or poor working practices and processes that may have contributed to these. There were enough staff to keep people safe. The provider maintained recruitment checks to assure themselves of staff's suitability and fitness to support people.

Senior staff sought appropriate assurances from the service provider responsible for maintaining the premises, equipment, cleaning and laundry and the catering provision, that they had appropriate measures in place to ensure these aspects of the service did not pose unnecessary risks to people’s safety. The provider’s own staff followed good practice to ensure risks to people from poor hygiene and cleanliness were minimised. Staff also made sure the environment was clear of slip and trip hazards so people could move safely and freely around.

The provider maintained appropriate arrangements for the safe management of medicines. People received these as prescribed to them. People continued to receive support that was personalised and which met their specific needs. Staff used information and guidance, based on best available evidence and best practice, to plan and deliver care that would support people to experience good outcomes in relation to their healthcare needs. Staff respected people’s individual differences and supported them with any spiritual, religious or cultural needs. Senior staff reviewed people's needs regularly to ensure the support they received continued to meet these.

Staff received relevant training and felt well supported by senior staff. Staff knew people well and had a good awareness and understanding of their needs, preferences and wishes. They were aware of people’s communication methods and how they expressed themselves.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their needs. People were also supported to access healthcare services when needed and staff liaised with other health and social care professionals to ensure people received effective coordinated care in regards to any health needs. Staff encouraged people to participate in activities and events and to maintain relationships with the people that mattered to them. Staff were warm and welcoming to visitors to the home and friends and families were free to visit when they wished.

Staff treated people with dignity and respect and ensured people's privacy was maintained particularly when being supported with their personal care needs. People were encouraged to do as much as they could and wanted to do for themselves to retain their independence. People were asked for their consent before care was provided and prompted to make choices. Staff were aware of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and supported people in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People and relatives were satisfied with the support provided by staff. The provider maintained arrangements to deal with people's complaints appropriately if these should arise. There was an inclusive and open culture at the service. People and staff spoke positively about the leadership and management of the service and were encouraged to provide feedback about how the service could be improved.

The registered manager adhered to the requirements of their Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration, including submitting notifications about key events that occurred. A programme of audits and checks were in place to monitor the quality of the service and improvements were made where required.

The registered manager worked well with other organisations including the service provider responsible for maintaining the premises, equipment, cleaning and laundry and the catering provision to ensure people benefited from a coordinated and joined up approach with regards their care and support.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.