Maple Cottage

Updated 12 April 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 an inspector

Service and service type

Maple Cottage 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. Maple Cottage 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.

The registered manager of Maple Cottage was also the provider of the service. They have been referred to as the provider throughout the report.

Notice of inspection

We gave a period of notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and we wanted to ensure the person and the provider would be available.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. 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

As part of our inspection we spoke with the provider and observed the care provided to the person living at Maple Cottage. We looked at videos and photographs of the person including how the person had changed and progressed over the time they had lived at Maple Cottage. Following the inspection, we spoke with a relative and a visiting professional who is in frequent contact with the service. We reviewed a range of documents about people's care and how the home was managed. We looked at the persons care records, medication administration records, risk assessments and policies and procedures.

Updated 12 April 2023

About the service

Maple Cottage is a residential care home providing personal care to one person with a learning disability and autism. The provider also lives at Maple Cottage and delivers the majority of care and support the person receives.

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.

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

Right Support: The model of care and setting maximised the person’s choice, control and independence. Accommodation was in an ordinary house which was in a quiet area whilst not being isolated. The person and provider had developed an exceptionally strong and caring relationship. Through this and positive communication the person was supported to take control and make decisions regarding how they lived their life. The environment had been adapted to fully ensure this met the person’s general and sensory needs. A strong and reliable network of family, friends and professionals had been built around the person to ensure their rights and wishes were embedded in the care they received both now and in the future.

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. The person lived safely and free from unwarranted restrictions because their needs were assessed and monitored. The person’s communication style was understood and it was clear they felt listened to.

The person was supported to access healthcare services when required. Safe medicines practices were followed, and the person received their medicines in line with their prescriptions. The person’s care and support was provided in a safe, clean, well equipped, well-furnished and well-maintained environment which met their sensory and physical needs. There was always a choice of food available and the person was able to help themselves to snacks when they wished.

Right Care: There was a warm and inclusive atmosphere where the person had full autonomy within their home. The provider had created a unique home where the person was able to live fully as part of a family whilst receiving professional care. The person’s care was extremely person centred and promoted their dignity, privacy and rights. Highly personalised support plans had been developed alongside professionals who knew the person well. The person’s quality of life was central to the values of the service and ensured the person was fully in control of decisions about their support and involved in plans for the future. Processes to respond to any concerns or complaints were in place.

Right culture: The provider continued to show unfailing commitment to the person and ensuring their choices and quality of life were respected. They took great pride in the life they had supported the person to create and in their professional responsibilities. Visits from professionals were welcomed and seen as a good source of advice and support. The provider continued to work with wider organisations to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and others in the care system and ensure their rights were protected.

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 the service under the previous provider was good (published on 3 March 2017).

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.