We carried out a review of the data available to us about Lyncroft on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Lyncroft, you can give feedback on this service.
People’s experience of using this service: Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures.
People’s risks were assessed and plans were in place to minimise the risks.
Staff were recruited safely and were supported to carry out their role with training, supervision and appraisals.
Medicines were managed safely.
People’s care needs were assessed before they began to use the service to ensure the appropriate support could be given.
The service worked jointly with healthcare professionals to support people with their healthcare needs.
Staff knew people well and knew how to provide an equitable service.
People had a named care worker who was responsible for overseeing their care.
The service involved people in decisions about their care and promoted people’s privacy, dignity and independence.
People’s end of life care wishes were captured.
The service provided care according to people’s preferences and choices and included the goals people wished to achieve.
People and staff spoke positively about the leadership of the service.
The provider sought feedback from people using the service and staff through regular meetings and an annual survey.
A variety of quality checks were carried out to identify areas for improvement.
Rating at last inspection: Requires improvement (report published on 15/08/18).
Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Lyncroft 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. Lyncroft is a care home for adults with mental health needs. It accommodates up to 12 people and 11 people were living there when we completed our inspection. It is a large house in a quiet residential area in east London. Each person has their own bedroom with shared bathroom, cooking, dining and living spaces. There is a separate building in the garden used as an activities centre by people living in all the provider’s homes.
There was not 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. The provider applied to have their registration amended during the inspection.
Care plans and risk assessments did not contain enough information to ensure people received personalised support that ensured their needs were met and preferences were respected. Reviews did not lead to changes in people’s goals, and goals were not always appropriately set or monitored. There was not enough information about people’s health care needs or the involvement of other professionals to ensure people received effective, coordinated care. People’s views about end of life care had not been established. Medicines were not managed in a safe way and other risks had not been appropriately mitigated. The home was not clean and there was a strong malodour in one of the bathrooms.
Staff had been recruited in a way that ensured they were suitable to work in a care setting. However, they worked excessive hours. Staff told us they received training relevant to their roles. Staff supported people to attend health appointments as needed. People were supported to attend their places of worship and went to the activities centre located in the garden. The structure and purpose of activities was not clear.
The audit and quality assurance systems were not operating effectively to identify and address issues with the quality and safety of the service. The provider had told us they would update care files and risk assessments but had not done so to an appropriate standard. The systems for analysing and responding to incidents were not robust. The provider had not submitted notifications as required.
People told us they liked the food, and we saw a varied menu was on offer. Staff did not always treat people with respect although their privacy was upheld. The impact of people’s cultural background, religious beliefs, sexual and gender identity was not always considered. We have made a recommendation about ensuring care is planned to respect diverse characteristics.
Staff knew people well and knew the details of people’s support needs; their knowledge was not reflected in the paperwork. People told us they liked the staff and would tell them if they had any concerns. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding adults from harm and abuse. People knew how to make complaints. No complaints had been made.
There were regular meetings for staff and people who lived in the home. However, opportunities for people and staff to contribute to the development of the service were limited.
We found breaches of six regulations regarding person centred care, safe care and treatment, premises and equipment, good governance, staffing and notifications of incidents. Full details of our regulatory response is added to reports after all representations and appeals have been exhausted.
Lyncroft is a residential care home for up to 12 people with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection 11 people were living in the home.
The home had 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.
People were supported to take medicines as prescribed. However, care plans relating to medicines were out of date and did not include guidelines for medicines prescribed on a take as needed basis. We have made a recommendation about the management of medicines.
People told us they liked living at Lyncroft and that it felt like home. People told us they felt safe and that staff cared about them. Staff were knowledgeable about their responsibilities regarding safeguarding adults from harm and told us how they managed risks that people faced.
Recruitment at the home ensured that suitable staff were employed. Staff received training and support that ensured they had the knowledge and skills they required to perform their roles. Staff felt supported by the management of the home. People, their relatives and staff told us they thought there were enough staff working at the home.
People consented to their care, or where they were not able to do so, the home followed legislation and guidance to ensure people’s rights were protected.
People told us they liked the food and they made changes to the menu at house meetings. People were involved in making decisions about their care and the development of the home.
People were supported to have their health needs met. Care plans contained details of how people wanted to be supported with both their physical and mental health.
Care plans were personalised and contained information about people’s preferences for care. Care plans were reviewed and updated regularly ensuring people received care that met their needs.
Lyncroft had a positive, person centred culture. The leadership of the home ensured people received high quality support with clear plans in place to monitor and improve the service.