Caxton Lodge

Updated 24 February 2022

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

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 27 January and was unannounced.

Updated 24 February 2022

About the service

Caxton Lodge provides residential care for younger adults with a learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, physical disability or sensory impairment.

The service is registered to support up to 10 people, and 10 people were using the service when we inspected. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the risk of these things having a negative impact on people was mitigated as the building design fitted into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were no identifying signs to indicate it was a care home and staff did not wear uniforms to identify them as care staff when coming and going with people.

Staff provided support in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures 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 autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence.

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

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 focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People felt safe with the support staff provided. Staff understood people’s needs and risk assessments were in place to support them to provide safe care.

New staff were safely recruited and had been trained to identify and respond to any safeguarding concerns. Medicines were managed and administered safely. Accidents and incidents were monitored to make sure lessons would be learned if things went wrong.

Staff received regular training, supervisions and an annual appraisal. They felt supported by management and worked closely with healthcare professionals to make sure people received effective care. Staff supported and encouraged people eat and drink enough and to have a varied and balanced diet.

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. Appropriate applications had been made when necessary to deprive people of their liberty.

Staff were caring and treated people with dignity and respect. They understood people’s communication needs and used accessible information to help people understand choices and make decisions.

People’s care was planned and delivered in a person-centred way. Regular reviews helped make sure the support provided continued to meet people’s changing needs.

People had the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities and to pursue their hobbies and interests. They were supported to maintain regular contact with family to avoid social isolation.

There was a person-centred culture within the service. Management were open and responsive to feedback. Systems were in place to respond to any complaints about the service. Audits helped monitor the quality and safety of the service. People, staff and relatives praised the management of the service, describing the registered manager as approachable and supportive. Information was recorded and effectively shared to make sure people’s needs were met.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (report published 23 November 2018).

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 reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.