Villette Lodge Assessment and Re-enablement Service

Updated 16 September 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 19 August 2020 and was announced. The service was invited to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 16 September 2020

Villette Lodge Assessment and Re-enablement Service provides care and support for up to six people who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders. At the time of our visit six people were using the service.

Villette Lodge has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning and physical disabilities using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

The home had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People who lived at the service felt safe. Relatives we spoken with also told us that they felt their loved ones were safe.

Staff had received training in safeguarding procedures and knew how to identify forms of abuse. The provider had a robust recruitment process and pre-employments checks in place, for any new members of staff. Peoples’ medicines were managed safely including the receipt, storage administration and disposal of medicines. Staff had been suitably trained and were confident in handling medicines. Regular premises and equipment checks were carried out.

Staff received regular training to support them with the necessary skills to care for people. Staff confirmed they received regular supervision sessions with their line manager.

People were supported to have a healthy and balanced diet. They told us that they enjoyed their meals and were involved with menu planning and could if they wished, have a choice of meals.

People had access to various healthcare professionals including visits to their GP, dentist and opticians. In addition, people were also supported to attend any hospital or specialist appointments.

People and their relatives were involved in the creation of care plans. Care plans were detailed and included information that supported staff to care for people in the way they wished to be cared for.

Activities were meaningful, not only in terms of social activities, but life-skills activities as well. People were encouraged to enhance these life skill activities both inside and outside of the service.

Staff told us that they enjoyed working at the service and they felt supported by the registered manager. Relatives we spoke with were complimentary about the home, the staff and the level of care their loved ones received.

The registered manager continually reviewed the quality of service provided and this included via quality assurance audits and obtaining feedback via questionnaires.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.