Alderwood L.L.A. Limited - Rushden

Updated 28 February 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 checked 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 15 January 2018 and was unannounced.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Alderwood LLA Rushden 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. Alderwood LLA Rushden accommodates 5 people in one adapted building.

Before the inspection, We used information the provider sent us in the PIR. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We also reviewed other information that we held about the service such as notifications. These detail events which happened at the service that the provider is required to tell us about. We also contacted the Local Authority for any information they held on the service.

We observed people who used the service being supported by staff. We spoke with two relatives of people who used the service, three support workers, a senior support worker, the registered manager, the director, the training and H.R manager, the staff mentoring lead and the facilities manager. We reviewed three peoples care records to ensure they were reflective of their needs, three staff files, and other documents relating to the management of the service.

Updated 28 February 2018

Alderwood L.L.A Limited Rushden is a small residential care home for five people with autism. 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. Alderwood L.L.A Limited Rushden is a residential house located on a residential street. The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

This inspection took place on 15 January 2018 and was unannounced.

At the time of our inspection, the provider confirmed they were providing care to 5 people.

At the last inspection in October 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found that the service was now outstanding.

People and their family were involved in their own care planning and were able to contribute to the way in which they were supported. Care was completely centred and tailored to each individual. Systems were in place to identify what each person wanted to achieve, and how best to support them to do this.

People were supported to work towards and complete major achievements in their lives. This included educational, occupational and leisure activities as well as the development of their own independent living skills. The service was flexible and adapted to people's changing needs and desires, enabling positive outcomes for all concerned. People felt a part of their community, and were able to take pride in their achievements.

Staff were well supported by the registered manager and senior management team. The registered manager had a clear vision for the service and its development. Staff were passionate and dedicated to their roles and had belief in the ethos of the support they received, and that of the provider in general. Staff were innovative in their approach to support, and were enthusiastic about supporting people to overcome life’s hurdles.

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.

Staff had an understanding of abuse and the safeguarding procedures that should be followed to report abuse and detailed risk assessments and behaviour management plans were in place to manage all risks within a person’s life. Staff were all confident in supporting people with complex needs and behaviours which may challenge.

The staff recruitment procedures ensured that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out to ensure only suitable staff worked at the service. Correct staffing levels were in place.

Staff induction training and mentoring was extensive and on-going training was provided to ensure they had the skills, knowledge and support they needed to perform their roles. Staff felt that training made them confident within their roles.

People's consent was gained before any care was provided. Families were involved in people’s care when appropriate. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them and their specific needs and wishes

The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service as and when it developed and had a process in place which ensured people could raise any complaints or concerns.