Archived: Longton Court

Updated 17 September 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 an unannounced inspection that took place over two days on the 5 and 7 August 2015. It was carried out by one inspector and a specialist advisor. A specialist advisor is a person who has specialist skills in working with this type of service.

We spoke with four people living at Longton Court and were able to gain views from three of the people, one person declined to talk to us. We also spoke with three relatives about their views on the quality of the care and support provided. We spoke with the registered manager, two shift leaders, four staff and one human resource manager. We also spoke with two health care professionals to gain their views of the service.

We looked at three people’s care records and documentation in relation to the management of the home. This included four staff files including supervision, training and recruitment records, quality auditing processes and policies and procedures. We looked around the premises, observed care practices and the administration of medicines.

We looked at previous inspection records, intelligence we had received about the service and notifications. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to send to us.

Updated 17 September 2015

We carried out this unannounced inspection on the 5 and 7 August 2015. At our last inspection in November 2013 no concerns were identified.

Longton Court provides accommodation for up to seven people who could have a learning disability, autism and or mental health needs and who require personal and/or nursing care. At the time of our visit there were six people living at the home. Longton Court has three self-contained flats that have their own front door and three double bedrooms all with en-suites, a communal kitchen, lounge, dining room, medicines room, office, activities room, garden and patio area. There is also a self-contained ground floor flat and staff sleeping area.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are registered persons. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager was present during the inspection.

There was not a safe system in place for the recruitment of new staff and some staff did start without appropriate checks being in place. Staffing levels were good and staff were skilled in communication with people, especially if people were unable to communicate verbally. Staff confirmed what a positive experience they had working for such a supportive provider. They all felt the culture of the home ensured they were kept informed of the situation through effective communication and support.

People were supported by staff who demonstrated a kind and caring approach. People received consistent support from staff who knew them well. People and relatives felt safe. The registered manager was ensuring people had their medicines administered by staff who had received training and were verified as being competent at administering medicines.

People, relatives and professionals we spoke with were happy with the care provided. People had support to access activities that were important to them and support plans and risk assessments were in place. People received a service that was based on their personal needs and wishes. Changes in people’s needs were quickly identified and their care package amended to meet their changing needs. There was enough staff to ensure people had access to community and their one to one support.

People and relatives were involved in planning medical treatments and felt there was good communication to ensure these ran smoothly. Health checks had been completed for some people living at the home, the registered manager was taking action to ensure all people had a completed health check. People who were unable to consent to care and treatment had completed assessments and best interest decision paperwork in place that involved significant others. Staff gave people choice and received training in the principles of The Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Annual surveys were sent to people, relatives and professionals about the quality of the service and there was a range of audits that monitored care and safety addressing shortfalls. A complaints policy with an easy read version was available for people and relatives. All people we spoke with felt happy to raise a complaint with the registered manager.

We found one breach of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.