Linden Cottage

Updated 26 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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had 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 10 February 2022 and was unannounced.

Updated 26 February 2022

About the service:

Linden Cottage is a residential care home for six younger adults who have learning/ physical and/or sensory adaptive needs. At the time of this inspection four people were living in the service. All the people had special communication needs and used sign-assisted language.

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.

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

People's experience of using the service:

• People received safe support from support staff who had the knowledge and skills they needed.

• People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse and received person-centred support that promoted their dignity.

• People were supported to safely take medicines and to have enough to eat and drink.

• People and their relatives were consulted about the support provided and their consent had been obtained.

• People were supported to pursue their hobbies and interests and there were robust arrangements to manage complaints.

• Quality checks had been completed, good team work was promoted and regulatory requirements had been met.

• People and their relatives were positive about the service. A relative said, "Linden Cottage is very good and is a home from home for my family member.”

Rating at last inspection:

The service was rated as ‘Good' at the inspection on 28 September 2016. At this inspection in April 2019 the overall rating of the service has been maintained as ‘Good’.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating we gave the service at the inspection in September 2016.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit in line with our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.