The Cedars (Mansfield)

Updated 24 October 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

One inspector carried out this inspection.

Service and service type

The Cedars (Mansfield) 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 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

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke briefly with three people who used the service. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager and support workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.

After the inspection

We had telephone conversations with two relatives.

Updated 24 October 2019

About the service

The Cedars (Mansfield) is a care home providing personal care to seven people living with a learning disability or autism.

The property was slightly larger than most domestic style properties and registered for the support of up to seven. Although this is larger than current best practice guidance, this was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people. There were also excellent links with the local community.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People commented they received good care; staff were patient, kind and caring.

Relatives and staff told us the home was safe. Staff understood the importance of keeping people; they had a good knowledge of safeguarding and the whistle blowing procedure. Although they hadn’t needed to raise concerns, they felt supported to do so if required. Previous safeguarding concerns had been reported and thoroughly investigated.

There were enough staff to provide personalised care and give people the time they needed. New staff were recruited safely.

People received their medicines as prescribed. Effective action was taken in response to accidents in the home, to prevent a further occurrence and learn lessons. Health and safety checks and risk assessments were completed to help maintain a safe environment.

Staff were well supported and received the training they needed. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink and to access health care when needed.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People's needs had been fully assessed; the information gathered was used to develop detailed and personalised care plans.

People were supported to participate in activities of interest to them; people regularly accessed their local community.

Staff and relatives told us the home was well managed. There were regular opportunities people, relatives and staff to share their views. Quality assurance checks were effective in ensuring the home was continually improving.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 17 March 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.