Background to this inspection
Updated
13 November 2021
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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is someone with personal experience of using or caring for someone who used this type of service.
Service and service type
Little Oaks is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. 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
The inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service and ten relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff and the registered manager. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care and medicines records, two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision and a variety of records relating to the management of the service. We received information from a social care professional.
After the inspection
We reviewed all the information the registered manager sent us which included quality audits, survey results and the records of meetings with staff and people who used the service.
Updated
13 November 2021
About the service
Little Oaks is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 14 people. There were 11 people using the service at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were safe and well cared for and relatives were complimentary about the care provided.
People were safeguarded from harm. Staff knew how to follow the providers safeguarding process if they were concerned about anyone using the service. Staff were safely recruited with the relevant checks in place.
Risks to people’s safety were assessed and staff knew how to report any concerns. There were enough staff available to meet people’s needs and staff received an induction and training relevant to their role. Staff told us they felt supported and valued.
Staff followed safe infection prevention and control processes and guidance was available to support staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. People received their medicines as prescribed and staff had received medicines training.
People told us the staff were kind and caring. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Relatives were involved in planning and reviewing people’s care and were kept up to date about any changes. Any concerns were responded to promptly by the registered manager. Care plans were written in a person-centred way, however needed some reorganisation.
We have made a recommendation that the provider makes changes to how information is recorded in the care plans so that staff can understand people’s up to date needs.
People were well cared for towards and at the end of their life by staff who were respectful and compassionate.
The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service and worked effectively alongside other health professionals to meet people’s needs. People and relatives spoke positively about the culture and management of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 23 April 2020).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.