Shenley Lodge

Updated 3 February 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Shenley Lodge is a ‘care 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 had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff including the registered manager and two care staff. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medicine records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We gathered feedback from professionals who recently visited the service.

Updated 3 February 2022

About the service

Shenley Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care and support for up to seven people with learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were six people using the service.

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

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

The model of care and setting maximised people’s choice, control and independence. People and their relatives told us they were encouraged to do as much as they could for themselves. People told us they could make decisions about their day to day lives.

Care was person-centred and promoted people’s dignity, privacy and human rights.The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the registered manager and care staff ensured people using the service lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives. Staff were kind and caring and treated people with respect. Relatives said their loved ones were supported by staff who were compassionate and understanding.

People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse. Staff had completed appropriate safeguarding training and people told us they felt safe. Medicines were managed safely, and several checks were in place to help ensure they remained safe. Risks to people were assessed and managed safely. Risks were reviewed regularly, and routine checks were made to ensure people were receiving the care they needed.

There were sufficient numbers of staff in place and recruitment was ongoing. Support was provided by staff who had received the required training and supervision from the registered manager.

People were supported to be as independent as possible. People’s dietary needs were documented and met. Healthcare services were accessed on a regular basis.

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.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 19 September 2018)

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns related to the management of medicines, staffing, training, supporting people with choice, respect and dignity and nutrition and hydration. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Shenley Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.