207 Goodmayes Lane

Updated 8 March 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 two inspectors, one of whom was a medicines inspector.

Service and service type

207 Goodmayes Lane is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. 207 Goodmayes Lane is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. The nominated individual was managing the service.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with one person who used the service and three staff: a support worker, a director and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We observed how staff interacted with people. We reviewed two people’s care records and medicines records. We looked at the staff recruitment records for 2 staff. We reviewed a number of records relating to the management of the service, including a selection of policies and procedures.

Updated 8 March 2023

About the service

207 Goodmayes Lane is a residential care home providing the regulated activity of personal care to up to 6 people. The service provides support to older people and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 2 people using the service. The home is an ordinary house in a residential street.

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

Risks to people were not always adequately assessed. The provider did not have effective systems in place to mitigate the risk of financial abuse. Care plans were not comprehensive as they did not cover equality and diversity needs or end of life care. Quality assurance systems were in place, but these were not always effective. Records were not maintained of staff supervision and we have made a recommendation about this.

Medicines were managed in a safe way, although we have made recommendation about the management of controlled drugs.

Systems were in place to protect against the spread of infection. Staff were aware of their responsibility to report allegations of abuse. People told us they felt safe using the service. Checks were made to help ensure the premises were safe. There were enough staff working at the service and robust staff recruitment practices were followed.

People’s needs were assessed before they moved into the service. Staff received training to help them in their role. People were able to choose what they ate and drank and the got enough to eat. The premises were well maintained and homely in appearance. Staff supported people to access health care services.

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.

People told us that staff were kind and caring and treated them well. People were supported

to have control and choice over their daily lives. People's privacy was respected, and staff understood the importance of maintaining confidentiality.

Care plans were in place which set out how to meet the individual needs of people, with the exception of equality and diversity needs and end of life care. People and relatives were involved in developing these plans, which meant they were able to reflect people's needs and preferences. People's communication needs were met. People told us they had confidence that any complaints raised would be addressed. People were supported to take part in activities and to maintain relationships with family and friends.

There was an open and positive culture at the service, which meant people, relatives and staff could express their views. The provider worked with other agencies to develop best practice and share knowledge.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

At the last inspection [published 27 May 2022] we did not give an overall rating, as we only looked at the Safe and Well-led questions in full. Both of these questions were rated as Inadequate. At this inspection the overall rating is Requires improvement.

The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

At this inspection we found the provider remained in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led sections of this full report.

You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

You can read the report from our last inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for 207 Goodmayes Lane on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have identified breaches in relation to systems for safeguarding people from the risk of financial abuse, risk assessments about individual risks people faced, care plans and quality assurance systems at this inspection. We have also made recommendations about medicines management and staff supervision.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.