The Oaks

Updated 23 March 2021

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 care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 11 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 23 March 2021

About the service: The Oaks is a residential care home for people living with a learning disability and/or autism. People living at the service did not communicate verbally and had other complex needs including sensory impairment. It is registered to provide personal care for up to six people; at the time of inspection the home was full. There were five people living there permanently and one person who regularly stayed on respite.

Accommodation was provided over two floors and communal areas included a lounge and dining room, an additional dining room and kitchen and a sensory room. People had their own rooms with access to gardens at the rear of the home.

People’s experience of using this service: We observed people and we saw they were comfortable in the presence of staff and in their home. Throughout the inspection, we observed positive interactions between people and staff. Staff spent time with people as and when they wanted. Staff respected people and enabled people to be independent. People were treated with dignity, patience and kindness.

People were safe and were supported by staff who were trained to recognise the signs of any potential abuse. Staff had been trained in safeguarding and knew what action to take if they had any concerns about people’s safety or welfare. People’s risks were identified and assessed appropriately. Staff knew how to keep people safe in an emergency such as a fire.

The provider’s internal quality assurance team carried out audits which the registered manager used to improve the service. A range of quality assurance systems measured and monitored the quality of care and the service overall. The registered manager worked with a maintenance plan to identify issues and to ensure planned improvement works were carried out.

There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs, to enable them to engage with activities, access the community and to live their lives as independently as possible. People were supported by staff whose suitability was checked through a robust recruitment process. People’s medicines were managed safely.

Before they came to live at the home, people’s needs were fully assessed to ensure that staff could meet their needs appropriately. Staff completed training that was driven by the needs of the people and were experienced in their roles to provide effective care to people. Staff received regular supervisions and an annual appraisal.

Staff used people’s feedback, likes and dislikes to plan menus and staff knew people’s dietary and eating requirements. People had access to a range of healthcare professionals and services. 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 were comfortable and relaxed in the company of the managers and support staff. Staff were asked for their feedback about the home and staff meetings were held regularly. Relatives were asked for their feedback about the home through surveys and by talking to the registered manager.

People received personalised care that was tailored to meet their individual needs, preferences and choices. Care plans were detailed and guided staff about people’s needs and how to meet them. Staff supported people to make choices and to live as independently as possible. Complaints were recorded and resolved. No-one living at the home required end of life care at the time of the inspection.

This service met the characteristics of Good. More information is in the ‘Detailed Findings’ below.

Rating at the last inspection: Good. The last inspection report was published on 29 June 2016.

Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection that was scheduled to take place in line with Care Quality Commission (CQC) scheduling guidelines for adult social care services.

Follow up: We will review the service in line with our methodology for 'Good' services.