Lowenac

Updated 27 March 2019

The inspection:

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.

Inspection team: This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type:

Lowenac is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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 accommodates up to two people. At the time of our visit there was one person using the service.

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: The inspection was unannounced.

What we did:

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The provider returned the PIR and we took this into account when we made judgements in this report. We reviewed other information that we held about the service such as notifications. These are events that happen in the service that the provider is required to tell us about. We also considered the last inspection report and information that had been sent to us by other agencies. We also contacted commissioners who had a contract with the service.

We visited the service on the 4 March 2109 and spoke with the person using the service who showed us around the premises. We spoke with staff on duty and the registered and deputy managers. We also looked at records. Following the visit, we spoke with two relatives over the telephone and two support workers.

We looked at the care and medication records of the person who used the service and observed information on display around the service such as information about safeguarding and how to make a complaint. We also examined records in relation to the management of the service such as staff recruitment files, quality assurance checks, staff training and supervision records, safeguarding information and accidents and incident information.

Updated 27 March 2019

About the service: Lowenac provides accommodation with personal care for up to two people. There was one person using the service at the time of our inspection.

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

What life is like for people using this service:

¿ The person was supported by staff who were caring, compassionate and treated them with the utmost dignity and respect. Any concerns or worries were listened and responded to and used as opportunities to improve.

¿ The person received person centred care and support based on their individual needs and preferences. Staff were aware of their life history and their communication needs. They used this information to develop positive, meaningful relationships with them.

¿ The provider ensured the person had regular staff meaning the person and staff were able to build positive relationships. The person was supported by staff who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Staff understood and felt confident in their role.

¿ Risks of abuse to people were minimised because the service had robust safeguarding systems and processes. Staff demonstrated a good awareness of each person's safety needs and how to minimise risks for them.

¿ People were supported by staff who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Staff understood and felt confident in their role. People’s health had improved because staff worked with a range of healthcare professionals and followed their advice.

¿ Where people lacked capacity, staff worked with the local authority to make sure they minimised any restrictions on people’s freedom for their safety and wellbeing.

¿Staff spoke positively about working for the provider. They felt well supported and that they could talk to management at any time, feeling confident any concerns would be acted on promptly. They felt valued and happy in their work.

¿ Audits were completed by staff, the registered manager and provider to check the quality and safety of the service.

¿ Lowenac is a leased property on a long-term basis by Green Light PBS Limited who run a number of services within Cornwall. There is a clearly defined management structure and regular oversight and input from senior management. The ethos of the service is ‘Empowering people to lead a lifestyle they are proud of.’ Staff were aware and supported people to achieve this ethos.

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

Rating at last inspection: Good (report published August 2016)

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. At our last inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection the service remained Good

Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.