Ladycroft Respite Service

Updated 4 March 2020

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.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Ladycroft 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.

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

We gave the registered manager short notice of the inspection because the location provides a respite care service for people who are often out during the day and we needed to be sure that someone would be in.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

At the start of the inspection we met two people who were at the home and preparing to go out to their day care provision. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, operations manager, senior care workers, and care workers. We spent time observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We saw a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with five relatives about their experience of the care provided.

Updated 4 March 2020

About the service

Ladycroft is a respite service providing short stay accommodation for people with learning disabilities. All rooms are en-suite with facilities to meet the needs of people who have mobility problems. The home is situated in Wath-Upon- Dearne, close to local shops and amenities.

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

The provider had systems in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Staff were knowledgeable about recognising and responding to abuse. Risks associated with people's care had been identified and plans were in place to ensure risks were minimised. Accidents and incidents were analysed to ensure trends and patterns were identified to reduce future incidents.

Medicines were managed in a safe way and people received their medicines as prescribed. The premises were maintained, and routine maintenance checks were carried out, equipment had been serviced and was safe to use. There were sufficient staff available to meet the needs of people who used the service.

People's needs were assessed and care was provided in line with their preferences. People had access to a healthy and balanced diet and dietary needs were met. Staff were trained and supported to carry out their role.

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.

We observed staff interacting with people in a caring and sensitive way. Staff were friendly and knew people well.

Care plans we viewed identified people's preferences and choices. People had access to regular day services and activities while staying at the service. The service had a mini bus to facilitate outings to various places of interest. The provider had a complaints procedure to receive and act on complaints. This was also available in an easy to read format. Staff received training in end of life care which was provided by the local hospice.

The registered manager completed several audits to monitor the quality of the service. When issues were raised an action plan was drawn up to address them. People had a voice and could contribute their views about the service. We saw people had complimented the service. The service worked with others to achieve a quality service. The registered manager listened and acted on feedback.

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 this service was good (published 18 August 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.