Background to this inspection
Updated
22 February 2020
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
Lincolnshire House 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.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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
We spoke with three people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, senior care worker and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We spoke with two professionals who regularly visit the service.
Updated
22 February 2020
About the service
Lincolnshire House is a residential care home providing personal care to 34 people with physical disabilities and related conditions at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 37 people, which includes three respite placements in purpose built fully equipped shared bungalows.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The service continued to be outstandingly responsive and celebrated people's achievements in a way that helped people to grow in confidence. Staff successfully promoted people's independence and as a result, some people had become much more independent and had much richer lives.
The provider had continued to ensure people received care and support that was exceptionally personalised, very well planned and particularly responsive to their needs. People's individual support plans were very person centred and well designed to meet people's needs. Staff sought opportunities for people to have different experiences and to do things in the community. People had their own interests and hobbies and took part in many activities. We saw instances where employment opportunities had given people a sense of self-worth and confidence. People were supported to maintain their family relationships and friendships and make new friends.
People were kept safe from the risks of harm and abuse. Staff knew how to recognise and respond to concerns of abuse and people had risks assessments in place to guide staff to mitigate risk. Robust recruitment processes were in place which enabled the provider to make safe recruitment decisions. Where people required assistance with their medicines, this was well managed. Accidents and incidents were used to reflect on practice and lessons learned were shared with the staff team. Personal evacuation plans were not in place to support people to leave the building safely in case of emergency.
We have made a recommendation about the introduction of personal evacuation plans.
Staff received supervision and training which enabled them to deliver effective care. People's needs were assessed before their care package commenced to identify and agree the care they required. People were supported by staff to eat and drink where required. 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. The environment promoted people’s wellbeing and maintained their independence.
People and their families spoke positively about the care provided and the friendly nature of the staff team. Staff knew people well, they spent time having meaningful conversations to find out about their past and what was important to them. Staff understood people’s communication abilities which enabled them to be involved in decisions about their day to day lives. Staff understood the importance of respecting people, ensuring dignity and finding ways to enable independence. People knew how to make a complaint and felt assured complaints and issues raised would be responded to accordingly.
People, their families and the staff team spoke positively about the management of the home, describing the management team as visible, supportive and caring. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities,
felt involved and able to share ideas. Quality assurance processes were comprehensive and included the voice of people, families and staff and drove continuous improvement.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality C omission (CQC)website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 26 May 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.