Archived: The Laurels Limited

Updated 28 September 2016

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

overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under The Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on the 9th of August 2016 and was unannounced. This meant the staff and provider did not know we would be visiting. The inspection was carried out by one inspector and one Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of caring for someone who uses this type of service.

Before the inspection, we looked at previous inspection records, and intelligence we had received about the service and notifications. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to send to us.

During our inspection, we observed how the staff interacted with people and spent time observing the support and care provided to help us understand their experiences of living in the service. We observed care and support in the communal areas, the midday meal, and we looked around the service.

We looked at the care plans of four people and reviewed records about how the service was managed. These included medicine records, staff training, recruitment and supervision records, accidents, incidents, complaints, quality audits and policies and procedures. Reviewing these records helped us to understand how the provider responded and acted on issues related to the care and welfare of people, and monitored the quality of the service.

We also spoke with the registered manager, six people who use the service, five members of staff, four relatives, and one health professional.

Updated 28 September 2016

The Laurels Limited provides care and accommodation for up to 32 older people with care needs. On the day of our inspection there were 27 people using the service.

The registered manager was present during our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

Activities were arranged for people who used the service; at the time of the inspection, the service was looking at ways in which it could support people to access the community more.

People lived in an environment that met their needs and food was provided that they enjoyed. Premises were properly maintained with a clean, bright and inviting environment. All living areas were clean and well looked after.

Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded and investigated, and risk assessments were in place for people who used the service

Staff was trained in how to safeguard vulnerable adults and was able to describe potential risks and the safeguards in place.

There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty in order to meet the needs of people who used the service.

We saw that people had developed caring relationships with the staff that supported them. Relatives told us that there was a positive atmosphere in the provider and people were encouraged to take part in tasks around the provider if they wanted. We found that people’s independence was promoted.

The registered provider was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and was following the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

Staff treated people with dignity and respect and helped to maintain people's independence by encouraging them to care for themselves where possible.

Staff was appropriately trained and skilled and provided care in a safe environment. All staff received a thorough induction and fully understood their roles and responsibilities, as well as the values and philosophy of the service. Staff had completed extensive training to help them to provide care to people who use the service was safe and effective to meet their needs.

People had their needs and requests responded to promptly. People told us that there was enough staff to meet people’s care needs.

People’s medicines were managed safely and staff members clearly understood their responsibilities. The Registered Manager conducted regular audits and improvements were carried out when these had been identified. The quality of the service was monitored and assessed consistently.

People who used the service, family members, and visitors were made aware of how to make a compliment, complaint, or comment and there was an effective complaints policy and procedure in place.

The service regularly used community services and facilities and had links with the local community. People who used the service, family members and staff were regularly consulted about the quality of the service they received.