Archived: Oxclose Lane Care Home

Updated 23 January 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.

This was a comprehensive inspection. The inspection visit took place on 9 January 2019 and was announced. We gave the provider 24 hours’ notice because the location was a small care home for people who are often out during the day. We needed to be sure that they would be in. The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

When planning our inspection, we looked at information we held about the service. This included notifications received from the provider about deaths, accidents/incidents and safeguarding alerts which they are required to send us by law.

Before the inspection, the provider completed 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.

During our inspection visit we met with three people who lived at Oxclose Lane. We undertook a tour of the premises and throughout this inspection we noted how staff spoke with and supported people. Following this inspection we spoke with three relatives of people living at the service by telephone.

We spoke with the registered manager and three members of staff. We

looked at a range of records that included two people's support plans, recruitment processes, records relating to medicines and a range of quality assurance systems.

Updated 23 January 2019

Oxclose Lane is a care home for seven people who may have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. People in 'care homes' receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. There were six people using the service at the time of our visit.

The home had been registered with CQC before Registering the Right Support guidance and Building the Right Support had been developed. However, we found the care provided included choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People living with learning disabilities at Oxclose Lane were supported to live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At our last inspection we rated the service as overall 'Good'. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing 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.

People were kept safe at the service. Staff recognised signs of any abuse and knew the process to follow to report such incidents. Staffing levels were maintained to ensure people were fully supported in a safe manner. Medicines were stored and handled in line with current guidance.

People's consent was obtained before any support or care was provided. Staff completed regular training and refresher courses to ensure their knowledge was up to date and people's needs were met in the correct way. People had access to health care professionals and had a choice of food and snacks throughout the day.

Staff were caring and understood the needs of the people receiving support and how their choices were to be provided. People's independence was respected and supported, with people enjoying trips outside the service when they wanted.

There was a range of activities offered and regular discussions about how people wanted to spend their days. Appropriate staffing levels were in place to support all outings and activities. People regularly visited the local community and routinely undertook such activities as swimming and walks. Contact with family and friends was supported and encouraged, with relatives being part of any celebrations or special events.

Relatives and staff were happy with the leadership of the service and told us that the registered manager was actively involved in the daily routines and readily available. Staff felt they were fully supported by the management team and were included in any developments of the service.