Archived: The Laurels

Updated 27 March 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. We planned this inspection 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

One inspector carried out this inspection.

Service and service type

The Laurels 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 we looked at both during this inspection.

The service had two managers 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

We carried out the inspection visit on 14 February 2019. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because the service is small and the person went out with staff on most days. We needed to be sure that they would be in

What we did

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the PIR as part of the planning process for this inspection, as well as other information we held about the service, including previous reports and statutory notifications sent to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) by the provider. Notifications are information on important events that happen in the home that the provider must let us know about.

During our inspection we saw how the staff interacted with the person who lived there. We spoke with the person. We spoke with a support worker and the registered manager and to the provider.

We looked at care records as well as other records relating to the management of the home.

Updated 27 March 2019

About the service

The Laurels is a care home that offers care and support to one person with mental health or neurological support requirements. There was one person using the service at the time of our visit.

At our last inspection on 13 June 2016 we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.

People’s experience of using this service

• The person was happy living at The Laurels. They felt safe and liked the staff who supported them. Staff enjoyed their work and were proud of the service.

• Staff knew about safeguarding and how to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm.

• Risk was assessed and managed so that the person could continue doing the things they liked to do.

• Staff knew the person extremely well. They knew what made them happy and sad and about the things that may trigger risky behaviour and the best way to a manage this.

• Staff managed medicines in a safe way.

• There was a consistent staff group matched to the needs of the person. This meant the person received the support they required from staff they knew them very well.

• Staff were recruited in a safe way to make sure that only staff with the right skills and characteristics were employed.

• Regular maintenance and checks were carried out on the premises and equipment to make sure it was in safe working order.

• The service was clean and tidy and staff knew how to prevent and control infection.

• Staff had the right skills, experience and support to meet the needs of the person who used the service.

• The person was supported to maintain a healthy weight and had a balanced diet with a choice of meals that they had chosen.

• Staff knew how to recognise changes in the person’s health and wellbeing. Staff had noticed the smallest change in the persons behaviour and sought immediate medical attention which resulted in emergency medical attention being provided in a very timely way.

• The premises met the needs of the person and provided a safe, comfortable and homely environment.

• Staff followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated Deprivation of Liberty Standards. This meant that the person’s liberty was only deprived following authorisation and a best interest decision.

• The person felt cared about by staff. They had developed positive relationships and were treated with kindness and respect.

• Staff had time to spend with the person and supported them to do the things they liked.

• The person received support from advocates to make sure that care and support was being provided in their best interests.

• Staff protected people’s privacy and dignity and promoted their independence.

• The person was supported to maintain a relationship with their family members.

• The person received care and support which was personalised to suit their needs and preferences.

• They were able to pursue their hobbies and interests including holidays.

• The person was supported to raise concerns should they needs to.

• The person and staff felt supported by the registered managers.

• The staff team enjoyed working together and supported each other and the registered managers.

• The quality of the service was monitored and the person was asked for their feedback and this was acted upon.

• Staff worked in partnership with other professionals and organisations to make sure the person received joined up care and support.

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

Rating at last inspection

At the last inspection we rated this service Good (report published on 18 July 2016).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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