Ossis Lodge

Updated 22 June 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

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 completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Ossis Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

At the time of our inspection the service did not have 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. Following the inspection the manager received confirmation they were now formally registered with us.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since they were registered on. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. The provider was asked to complete a provider information return. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. However, the end date for completion and submission was after the inspection took place.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with two members of staff, the manager and the service’s operations manager. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and five peoples medicine records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including the service’s quality assurance arrangements.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at staff training data and spoke with the manager.

Updated 22 June 2021

About the service

Ossis Lodge is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Ossis Lodge is a large bungalow situated in a residential area in Southend on Sea and close to all amenities and facilities. The service accommodates up to six adults who have a learning disability and who may also have an autistic spectrum disorder and a physical disability. At the time of our inspection five people were living at the service.

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

Suitable arrangements were in place to keep people safe. Policies and procedures were followed by staff to safeguard people and staff understood these measures. Risks to people were identified and managed to prevent people from receiving unsafe care and support. The service was appropriately staffed to meet people’s needs. People received their medication as prescribed and in a safe way. Recruitment procedures were followed to ensure the right staff were employed. People were protected by the providers arrangements for the prevention and control of infection. Arrangements were in place for learning and making improvements when things go wrong.

Staff received appropriate training opportunities. Suitable arrangements were in place for staff to receive regular formal supervision. People's nutritional and hydration needs were met, and they received appropriate healthcare support as and when needed from a variety of professional healthcare services. The service worked together with other organisations to ensure people received coordinated care and support. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were treated with care, kindness, dignity and respect. People received a good level of care and support that met their needs and preferences. Staff had a good knowledge and understanding of people's specific care and support needs and how they wished to be cared for and supported. The rapport between staff and people using the service was positive.

Support plans were in place to reflect how people would like to receive their care and support and covered all aspects of a person's individual circumstances. People’s social care needs were met. Complaints were investigated and managed.

Suitable arrangements were in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service provided. There was a positive culture within the service that was person-centred, open and inclusive.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

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

This service was registered with us in June 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection.

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 until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.