Archived: Sennen Lodge

Updated 19 April 2016

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.

This inspection took place on 10 February 2016 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection, we reviewed information we held about the home including previous inspection reports and notifications. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law.

We spoke with the families of three people using the service. We also spoke with the registered manager, assistant area director, activity coordinator, cleaner and three care staff members. We looked at care plans and associated records for four people, four recruitment files, accidents and incidents records, policies and procedures, minutes of staff meetings and quality assurance records. We observed how staff interacted with people whilst supporting them with a range of activities in the home.

We last inspected Sennen Lodge on 25 October 2013, where no concerns were identified.

Updated 19 April 2016

We carried out this inspection on 10 February 2016. The inspection was unannounced. Sennen Lodge provides accommodation and support for up to eight people who have a learning disability or autism. There were eight people living at the home when we carried out the inspection.

The home had a registered manager. 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.

We found people’s safety was compromised in some areas. There was no hand sink in the laundry as recommended by the Department of Health’s guidance on infection control. Peoples medicines records were not always recorded appropriately.

Relevant recruitment checks were conducted before staff started working at Sennen Lodge to make sure they were of good character and had the necessary skills. Staff had received training in safeguarding adults and knew how to identify, prevent and report abuse. There were enough staff to keep people safe.

The risks to people were minimized through risk assessments and staff were aware of how to keep people safe and the information provided staff with clear guidelines to follow. There were plans in place for foreseeable emergencies.

Staff received regular support and received regular one to one sessions of supervision to discuss areas of development. Staff informed us they completed a wide range of training and felt it supported them in their job role. New staff completed an induction programme before being permitted to work unsupervised.

Staff sought consent from people before providing care and support. The ability of people to make decisions was assessed in line with legal requirements to ensure their rights were protected and their liberty was not restricted unlawfully. Decisions were taken in the best interests of people.

People received varied meals including a choice of fresh food and drinks. Staff were aware of people’s likes and dislikes and offered alternatives if people did not want the menu choice of the day. Staff were aware of people’s needs who had limited communication, to make sure their diet was healthy and balanced. People were able to access healthcare services.

People had personalised bedrooms with their own en suite; there was also a sensory room and a ball pit room.

People were cared for with kindness, compassion and sensitivity. Care plans provided comprehensive information about how people wished to receive care and support. This helped ensure people received personalised care in a way that met their individual needs.

People were supported and encouraged to make choices and had access to a wide range of activities. People also had the opportunity to go on individual holidays abroad in line with their interests and choice.

The provider sought feedback through the use of a quality assurance questionnaire and used the results to improve the service. The provider and registered manager used a series of audits to monitor the quality of the service.

A complaints procedure was in place. There were appropriate management arrangements in place and staff felt supported.