Gosford Lodge

Updated 5 December 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 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.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Gosford Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included the statutory notifications the provider had sent to CQC. A notification includes information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

Some people living at the service were unable to communicate verbally and some chose not to speak with us. We used observation throughout our inspection to help us understand people’s experiences. We spoke with eight members of staff, including support workers and members of the management team.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and people’s medicines records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment processes, training and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed. This included policies and procedures, quality assurance and health and safety documents.

We considered this information to help us to make a judgement about the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. The manager provided additional details, such as policies, and additional information. We spoke with four relatives to find out more about their experience of the care provided at Gosford Lodge. We received feedback from three professionals who had contact with the service. Their comments have been incorporated into this report.

Updated 5 December 2019

About the service

Gosford Lodge is a care home which provides care and support for up to eight people who have learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions or additional needs. At the time of our inspection, five people were living there. The service is in a detached property and consists of communal living areas and individual en-suite bedrooms.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were safe and protected from avoidable harm or abuse. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. The service had systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities when concerns were identified. Where risks had been identified, assessments were in place and action was taken to manage risks where possible. Staff were aware of people’s needs and followed guidance to ensure they were safe.

People were supported by enough staff and vacant posts were being filled. Staff were safely recruited and received training which equipped them to effectively carry out the requirements of their job. Staff felt supported and received regular supervision.

People’s needs and preferences were assessed before they came to the service and these were regularly reviewed. Care plans gave guidance to staff about what people could do for themselves and how best to provide support.

People were supported to have choice and control in 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.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support now focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their individual needs and preferences and to remain healthy. People had access to routine and specialist healthcare services. Staff worked with other agencies and professionals to ensure people received effective care which met their needs.

The feedback we received reflected recent improvements in the service. The staff we saw were positive and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. Staff knew people well, and spent time finding out how they could best meet their individual needs. People were encouraged to participate in meaningful activities and maintain relationships with friends or families.

The management team provided consistent leadership. This had enabled improvements to be made and supported the service in continuing to develop the care and support people received. The registered manager had worked in collaboration with colleagues and other professionals to continue to improve the service. Systems were in place to monitor and review quality and performance, and actions were taken when shortfalls were identified.

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 (report published 01 July 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.