Garland Lodge

The service consistently applied the principles and values of Registering the Right support, right care, right culture 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.

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

Improvement was required to protect people from the risk of avoidable harm. Pre-employment staff checks were not satisfactory. The quality assurance process was not robust to identify these concerns and to make improvements in a timely way.

We made four recommendations about assessing staff dependency levels and deployment, comprehensive staff guidance in care plans on how to support people, promoting privacy, dignity and independence, and care records in easily accessible formats in line with Accessible Information Standards.

People and their relatives gave us positive feedback about their safety and told us staff treated them well. The service had systems and processes in place to administer and record medicines use. People’s care plans reflected their current needs; however, some care plans were not detailed with sufficient guidance for staff. People were protected from the risk of infection. The provider had a system to manage accidents and incidents.

Staff received support through training, supervision and staff meetings to ensure they could meet people’s needs. Staff told us they felt supported and could approach the management team members at any time for support. The provider worked within the principles of Mental Capacity Act (MCA). Staff asked for people’s consent, where they had the capacity to consent to their care. 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.

An assessment of people’s needs had been completed to ensure these could be met by staff. The management team and staff worked with other external professionals to ensure people were supported to maintain good health. People and their relatives were involved in making decisions about their care and support. People were treated with dignity, and their privacy was respected, and supported to be as independent in their care as possible.

Staff showed an understanding of equality and diversity. Staff respected people’s choices and preferences. People knew how to make a complaint. The registered manager knew what to do if someone required end-of life care.

There was a management structure at the service and staff were aware of the roles of the management team. They told us the management team members were supportive and approachable. The management team members and staff worked as a team and in partnership with a range of professionals and acted on their advice.

Rating at last inspection and update

This service was registered with us on 27/07/2020 and this is their first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned comprehensive inspection.

Enforcement

We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment, fit and proper persons employed, and good governance.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take, at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

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