Bracken Lodge

Updated 7 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 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.

The inspection took place on 28 November 2017 and was unannounced.

Due to the small size of the home, the inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we gathered information about the service by contacting the local and placing authorities. In addition, we reviewed records held by CQC which included notifications, complaints and any safeguarding concerns. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. This enabled us to ensure we were addressing potential areas of concern at the inspection.

Before the 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.

As part of our inspection we spoke with four people, one relative, four care staff and the registered manager. We received feedback from one healthcare professional after the inspection. We read care plans for three people, medicines records and the records of accidents and incidents, complaints and safeguarding. We looked at mental capacity assessments and applications to deprive people of their liberty. We also looked at records of audits and surveys and a selection of photographs and artwork in people’s records and around the home.

We looked at two staff recruitment files, records of staff training and supervision, a selection of policies and procedures, minutes of staff meetings and evidence of partnership working.

Updated 7 February 2018

Bracken Lodge is residential care home providing support to up to ten people with learning disabilities and some people also had physical disabilities. Care is provided across two floors of an adapted house. At the time of our inspection there were eight people living at the home.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good but we found the service had improved since our last inspection and we have rated Bracken Lodge ‘Outstanding’ in the Caring domain.

Why the service is rated Good

Staff provided an exceptionally caring service to people. People lived in an inclusive and homely environment in which they were empowered and given ownership over their care. The provider had an attention to detail when it came to involving people and creating strong bonds between people, relatives and staff. Relatives and healthcare professionals emphasised how homely the environment was and the caring nature of staff. People were supported by kind staff who knew them well and routinely advocated for them. Staff were dedicated to the people that they supported and were passionate about finding ways to make people happy and improve their lives. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity when providing care.

Staff managed risks to people safely whilst promoting their independence. Where incidents had occurred, the provider took appropriate action to keep people safe. Staff understood how to identify and respond to suspected abuse. People lived in an environment in which the risk of infection spreading was appropriately managed.

People were supported to prepare and eat food that they liked in line with their dietary needs. Staff had sufficient training to carry out their roles and had regular meetings with their line managers. 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 supported this practice. People’s needs and choices were assessed and people were involved in important decisions and choices. Staff worked alongside healthcare professionals and other organisations to meet people’s needs.

People received personalised care that reflected their needs, interests and preferences. People had access to activities that reflected what was important to them. Regular reviews were undertaken and any changes to people’s needs were actioned by staff. The provider had a clear and accessible complaints procedure and

The registered manager worked alongside staff and was actively involved in people’s care. Systems were in place to involve people and staff in the running of the home. The provider carried out checks on the quality of the care that people received and maintained up to date records. The provider built links with organisations and agencies to ensure that people benefitted from.

Further information is in the detailed findings below