The Leys Residential Home

Updated 24 April 2019

The inspection: 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.

Inspection team: There was one inspector in the inspection team.

Service and service type: The Leys is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. 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: This inspection took place on 6 February 2019 and was unannounced.

What we did: We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about, such as abuse; and we sought feedback from the local authority and other professionals who work with the service. We assessed the 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 used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection visit, we spoke with three people who used the service and two relatives to ask about their experience of the care provided. We also observed how people interacted with staff.

We spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, a volunteer, two members of the care staff, as well two visiting healthcare professionals.

We reviewed a range of records. These included three people's care records, together with their medication records. We also reviewed people’s records of their background/history.

We looked at records relating to the management of the home. For example, systems for managing any complaints, checks undertaken on the health and safety of the home, surveys completed by people and compliments received. We also reviewed two staff files to review recruitment practices.

Updated 24 April 2019

About the service:

The Leys accommodates up to 20 older adults in one adapted building. There were 18 people living there at the time of the inspection, most of whom were living with dementia.

What life is like for people using this service:

• People enjoyed living at The Leys and felt safe and reassured by the support they received from staff they knew and liked.

•Staff understood how to protect people from abuse and how to report their concerns. Staff recognised the risks to people's health, safety and well-being and how to support them safely.

•People were supported by sufficient staff when needed.

•Staff recruitment processes included a check of their background to review their suitability to work at the home.

•People received support with their medicines. Regular checks were undertaken to ensure people received the correct support from staff who were competent to support them. Checks also included how the medicines were stored.

•Staff understood and practised infection control techniques.

•The registered manager ensured people's care was based on best practice and staff had the correct training to meet people's needs.

•Training was reviewed to ensure staff training was in line with current best practice.

•Staff were offered guidance and support with supervision and staff meetings.

•People were offered choices at mealtimes and staff understood which people required support and ensured they received this.

•People were supported to attend healthcare appointments. Healthcare professionals were assured that advice was correctly followed by staff and incorporated into people’s care.

•People were treated with dignity and respect and their independence was promoted.

•People and their families were involved in planning their care with support from staff.

•Staff supported people to enjoy a range of activities which reflected people's individual interests.

•People and their families understood how to complain, but felt they had not needed to complain.

•Staff felt supported within their working environment and felt part of a close knit team.

•Staff worked together with the registered manager and registered provider to ensure people's care was continually monitored, reviewed and reflected people's needs.

• The manager and staff worked with other stakeholders to improve people's experience of care.

• We found the service met the characteristics of a "Good" rating in all areas; For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection: Good (Report published March 2016)

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The service remained rated Good overall.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.