Aldingbourne Cottage

Updated 18 November 2020

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

This inspection took place on 4 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 18 November 2020

About the service

Aldingbourne Cottage is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation for people with a learning disability or autism. At the time of our inspection the service was supporting 10 people.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 10 people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by staff practices and the focus on supporting people to live as full a life as possible. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate to their needs. A relative told us, “I feel that [My relative] is now part of a community rather than living in a lonely situation with the unrealistic expectation that [they] could become more independent.”

The service was generally maintained to and acceptable standard. However, outside a person’s bedroom the carpet was damaged and could represent a trip hazard. We also found that the service bathrooms were in need of redecoration and that the wet room smelt musty and damp. Following feedback at the end of the inspection immediate action was taken to address these issues. The carpet was replaced, bathrooms redecorated and works to replace the wet-room were scheduled for December 2019.

Staff and managers had some understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and had made necessary and appropriate applications to the local authority of the authorisation of restrictive care plans under the Deprivation of Liberty safeguards. However, there as limited evidence available of best interest decision making. This issue had been identified by the manager prior to the inspection. We have recommended the service reviews its current practices to ensure best practice guidance is followed.

The service’s recruitment practices were safe and there were enough staff on duty to meet people’ support needs. Medicines were managed safely and there were systems in place to help people to manage their finances.

Staff had received safeguarding training and understood how to protect people from all forms of abuse or discrimination. Risks were appropriately managed, and staff knew how to support people if they became anxious or upset.

Staff had the skills necessary to meet people’s need and their training was regularly refreshed. Staff told us there were well supported by the registered manger and records showed they received regular supervision.

The staff team provided support with kindness, care and compassion. People told us, “The staff are good” and “The staff are very nice here, they look after me quite all right.” While relative said, “The staff in the team seem to be very caring and friendly” and professionals’ comments included, “The staff seem on the ball and friendly. People seem happy.”

People’s care plans were accurate and detailed. They provided staff with enough guidance to enable them to meet people’s needs. People and their relatives were involved in the development and review of care plans and told us these documents were accurate. Staff had a good understanding of people’s individual communication preferences and specific, picture based, tools had been developed to support peoples’ decision making.

People and relatives knew how to raise complaints and systems were in place to ensure any complaint received was fully investigated and resolved. Feedback was valued, and regular surveys were conducted to ensure the service was meeting people’s expectations.

The service was led effectively by the registered manager and the staff team were well motivated and focused on providing person centred support. Quality assurance systems were effective and designed to drive improvements in the service’s performance.

Rating at the last inspection

At our previous inspection the service was rated Good. (Published 14 June 2017)

Why we inspected

This was a planned initial inspection of the service.

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.