The Rookery

Updated 6 March 2021

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 the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 23 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 6 March 2021

About the service

The Rookery is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 36 people aged 18 years and over. At the time of the inspection, 34 people were living at the service. The service comprised of one large converted house and separate self-contained units, called “cottages.”

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.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 36 people. This is larger than current best practice guidance stipulates for people with learning disabilities or autism. However, the size of the service was mitigated by the building design and layout. Also, as it was located in large grounds and adjacent to a working farm, people were able to spend time here to enhance their wellbeing. Other activities were provided in group and one to one sessions in the home and in separate buildings on the same site.

Thematic Review

The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.

As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people. The service used some restrictive intervention practices as a last resort, in a person-centred way, in line with positive behaviour support principles.

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

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 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 living at The Rookery participated in one to one and group activities, including accessing the onsite working farm. Staff showed empathy, kindness and compassion. They placed value on their caring roles and involvement in people’s lives. The care provided was flexible to meet people’s needs and preferences.

The service worked with people and their families to complete end of life care planning to ensure people received high standards of care and support. People were involved in the planning of their care at that stage of their life. The service had good working relationships with the local GP practice and learning disability healthcare professionals.

The service worked in partnership with people and encouraged feedback on the care provided. We received positive feedback from people and their relatives about the service received. Staff told us they enjoyed working at The Rookery and spoke highly of the support and encouragement provided by the registered manager.

People had their care and support needs met by sufficient numbers of suitably trained staff. The care environment was clean and comfortable throughout. The service had governance arrangements in place and completed regular internal quality checks and audits. Findings from these were reviewed by the registered manager and provider and used to continually drive improvement within the service.

Rating at last inspection: The Rookery was previously inspected 30 and 31 August 2016, rated as Good in all key questions. The report was published 20 October 2016.

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled, comprehensive inspection, completed in line with our inspection schedule for services rated as Good.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor this service and will reinspect in line with our schedule for services rated as Good.

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