Middleton Lodge

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

At our last inspection this key question was rated inadequate. At this assessment the key question has been rated good. This meant that service leadership, management and governance assured high-quality, person-centred care; supported learning and innovation; and promoted an open, fair culture. The management team had driven improvement across all areas of the service and had worked with partner agencies to deliver an action plan and embed positive change. Staff were motivated and were committed to maximising positive opportunities for people. People told us they were happy and feedback from relative also reflected a much improved service.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The registered manager and staff shared a vision, strategy and culture of putting people first. One staff we spoke with said, "Morale is really good, everyone is really positive and happy, everyone is so nice to work with and everyone gets on really well."

The policies and procedures the provider had put in place was based on providing transparency, equity, equality and human rights, diversity and inclusion, engagement, and understanding challenges and the needs of people and local communities.

Staff told us the registered manager promoted a positive, person-centred culture. The registered manager and staff put people’s needs and wishes at the heart of everything they did.

The registered manager adopted an inclusive leadership style and supported staff to understand the context in which they delivered care and support to people. They rewarded staff with excellent practice and initiatives. Systems were in place to check staff practices embodied the organisation’s culture and values. The provider had equipped the registered manager with the skills, knowledge, experience and credibility to lead effectively.

Staff we spoke with all said they felt able to raise any issues with the registered manager and provider. One staff told us if you had any sueggestions., "[Name], the registered manager she will always do something about it."

The provider had policies and systems in place, which aimed to foster a positive culture where people felt they could speak up and that their voice would be heard.

Staff confirmed they had a working environment which encouraged effective teamwork. The registered manager said, "Feedback has been positive and I can hear staff and people laughing."

We saw there was regular meetings for the staff team where they were encouraged to raise areas for improvements as well as achievements. There were awards for staff and thank you presents were given to staff when the service moved out of local authority monitoring following the last CQC inspection.

The registered manager met with staff regularly and they discussed areas for improvement and also achievements the service had made. Staff told us they were able to raise any issue with the registered manager.

The registered manager had an effective system in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service and ensure people were able to contribute their views.

People had an increasingly active local community presence. People had improved outcomes because of the work with multidisciplinary teams since our last inspection.

The registered manager told us how the service had "embraced" the support of improvement agencies who offered support following the CQC inspection in July 2023. Staff have told us how they have been brought together as a team and have enjoyed additional training and the support from external partners.

Feedback from partners has been positive. External health and social care professionals we spoke with said the management and staff team had been "proactive" in seeking support and had embraced learning opportunities. One professional told us, "I have been hugely impressed."

Systems and processes were in place to enable the service to developed good links with the local community and work in partnership with other agencies to improve people's opportunities and wellbeing. The provider had the means to share information and learning with partners and collaborate for improvement.

Staff we spoke with said, "We have done loads of training," and "Improvements are still happening all the time but its so much better now than last year." The registered manager told us, "We are now learning together, and it's nice to hear feedback and staff have stayed and are committed."

The provider had systems which encouraged creative ways of delivering equality of experience, outcome and quality of life for people.