Merlewood House

Updated 10 April 2019

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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.’

Inspection team: This inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Service and service type: Merlewood House provides care and accommodation for up to six people with autism.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. However, the registered manager had left the service and a new manager had been appointed who had applied for registration. This means, once registered, 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 inspected the service on 20 and 21 February 2019. The first day was unannounced.

What we did: Before the inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service, including notifications and previous inspection reports. We contacted Lancashire County Council contract monitoring team and the local authority safeguarding team. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information providers give us annually about the service, it includes what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make. We used our planning tool to collate and analyse all the information, to help us plan our inspection.

During the inspection we spent time people who used the service and observed how they were supported. We talked with three support workers, a team leader and the manager. We looked around the service and reviewed a sample of records, including two support plans and other related care documentation, two staff recruitment records, complaints records, staff meeting records and quality assurance records and audits. Following the visit, we talked with two relatives of people who used the service.

Updated 10 April 2019

About the service: Merlewood House is a residential care home and is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 6 people with autism. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. At the time of our inspection, 4 people were using the service.

The service had 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, rights, independence and social inclusion. This was to support people using the service in living their life as other citizens.

People’s experience of using this service: A relative told us, “It gives me peace of mind knowing [my relative] is there. It’s marvellous.”

We observed people were relaxed and content in the company of staff and managers. Staff were aware of the signs and indicators of abuse and they knew what to do if they had any concerns. Staff had received training on positively responding to people’s behaviours and safeguarding and protection matters. Relatives told us they felt people were safe at the service.

Processes were in place to make sure all appropriate checks were carried out before staff started working at the service. There were enough staff available to provide care and support; staffing arrangements were kept under review.

The provider had arrangements to promote the safety of the premises, this included maintenance, servicing and checking systems. There was a good standard of décor and furnishings to provide for people's individual needs, comfort and wellbeing.

People's needs were assessed, planned for and reviewed. Each person had a care plan which was designed to ensure their needs and choices were met. People were supported with their health and well-being, changes were monitored and responded to. Where necessary, people received appropriate medical attention. The service followed good processes to manage people's medicines safely, in a person-centred way.

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 at the service supported this practice. People had opportunity to develop their independence skills, gain confidence and try new experiences.

Relatives made positive comments about the caring attitude of staff. We observed staff interacted with people in a kind, pleasant and friendly manner. Staff knew people very well and they were respectful of their choices and preferred routines. People’s privacy and dignity was respected.

There were opportunities for people to engage in a wide range of community and in-house activities. People were supported to keep in touch with their families. Visiting arrangements were flexible, relatives said they were made welcome at the service.

People were offered a variety of meals and drinks; healthy eating was promoted and monitored. Individual needs and choices were known and catered for.

The service had creatively responded to and managed people’s complaints. Relatives had an awareness of the service's complaints procedure and processes and were confident in raising concerns.

The provider had arrangements to encourage people to express their views and be consulted about Merlewood House. They had opportunities to give feedback on their experience of the service and make suggestions for improvements. Managers and staff completed regular checks on quality, systems and processes.

We found there were management and leadership arrangements in place to support the effective day to day running of the service. Progress was ongoing to ensure the management arrangements met legal requirements.

Rating at last inspection: Good (21 July 2016)

Why we inspected: This inspection was part of our scheduled plan of visiting services to check the safety and quality of care people received.

Follow up: We will plan a follow up inspection as per our inspection programme. We will continue to monitor the service and if we receive any concerning information we may bring the inspection forward.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk