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.