Orchard End

Updated 23 August 2018

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, 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 24 July 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Prior to our inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this information into account during the planning of our inspection of the service.

As part of our inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service. We contacted representatives from the local authority and Healthwatch for their views about the service and looked at the statutory notifications the provider had sent us. Healthwatch are an independent national champion for people who use health and social care services. A statutory notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to send to us by law.

During the inspection visit, we spoke with one person who used the service, three relatives, two social workers and an occupational therapist. In addition, we spoke with the registered manager, the provider’s campus principle, one senior care staff member and four care staff. We looked at a range of documentation, including three people's care and assessment records, safeguarding records, medicines records, complaints records, accident and incidents records, and staff training records. We also looked at two staff members' recruitment records, the home’s menus and records associated with the provider's quality assurance.

We also spent time in the communal areas of the home to observe how staff supported and responded to people.

Updated 23 August 2018

The inspection took place on 24 July 2018 and was unannounced.

Orchard End is a 'care home' which provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people with learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection visit, six people were living at the home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 is required to have a registered manager and there was a registered manager in post. 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.

At the last inspection on 30 December 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection, we found the service remained Good.

Staff received training in, and understood, their responsibility to protect people from harm and abuse. The risks to people had been assessed, reviewed and plans were in place to manage these. Staffing levels at the home enabled staff to safely meet people’s individual needs. People received their medicines safely and as prescribed from trained staff. Staff protected people from the risk of infection.

People's individual care and support needs were assessed prior to them moving into Orchard End, enabling the provider to develop effective care plans. Staff received a range of training and ongoing management support to enable them to work safely and effectively. People had support to eat and drink safely and comfortably, and made choices about their food and drink. People had support to maintain their health and attend routine medical appointments. People were involved in decision-making about changes to the home’s environment. People's rights under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were promoted by staff and management.

Staff treated people with kindness and compassion. People had support to express their views and participate in decision-making that affected them. People's rights to privacy, dignity and independence were recognised and promoted by staff.

People received person-centred care and support. They were supported to participate in a range of recreational and social activities which they enjoyed. The provider had procedures in place to ensure concerns and complaints were dealt with in a fair and consistent manner.

The registered manager was accessible, approachable and promoted an open and inclusive culture within the service. Staff were motivated, well-supported and clear what was expected of them at work. The provider completed audits and checks to assess, monitor and improve the quality of the service people received.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.