The Laurels

Updated 7 September 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 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 which took place on 31 July 2018. The inspection was unannounced and carried out by one inspector.

We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We looked at information we held about the service including notifications they had made to us about important events. We also reviewed all other information sent to us from other stakeholders for example the local authority and members of the public.

During our inspection visit we spoke with the provider’s quality manager, the registered manager and three care workers. People living in the service were not able to discuss their care with us but we observed interactions between people and care staff. We also spoke with three relatives of people living in the service. We reviewed three people’s care records, policies and procedures, records relating to the management of the service, training records and the recruitment records of three care workers

Updated 7 September 2018

The Laurels is a residential care home for seven people. At the time of the inspection on 31 July 2018, there were seven people with learning disabilities living at the service.

At our last inspection in October 2015, we rated the service 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.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

Staff focused on the care needs of each individual and knew people's individual communication skills, abilities and preferences. We observed that the staff approach was caring and kind. They talked to people with dignity and respect and supported people to make decisions about their and day to day needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible, the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People had detailed care plans which reflected their abilities and support requirements. People's risks had been assessed and were regularly monitored. Referrals to health care professionals had been made appropriately when additional support was needed. Medicines were managed and administered safely. People were provided with opportunities to maintain their interests and hobbies and live an enriched life. People’s nutritional needs were met. The involvement of people’s relatives was encouraged and valued.

There were sufficient numbers of skilled and trained staff to meet people's health and welfare needs. Staff felt supported by the registered manager. Staff were recruited safely and trained to provide good quality care and support.

Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the quality of service being delivered and the running of the home.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.