Red Oaks Care Ltd

Updated 20 April 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Red Oaks Care Ltd is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Red Oaks Care Ltd is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post. The registered manager was also the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced. The first visit of our inspection was unannounced. The second inspection visit was announced to enable us to return to the service at a time when people and staff were available and happy to speak with us.

Inspection activity started on 23 March 2023 and ended on 4 April 2023. We visited the location on 23 March 2023 and 3 April 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since they were registered. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 3 people using the service and 6 relatives of people who use the service. We spoke with 10 staff, this included 2 senior support workers, 3 support workers, a bank support worker, the registered manager, the chief executive, and the chief operating officer. We spoke with 3 health and social care professionals working with the service.

We reviewed a range of records, these included the care records of 2 people using the service and the medicine records for 3 people using the service. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.

Updated 20 April 2023

About the service

Red Oaks Care Ltd is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 6 autistic people and people with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were 6 people using the service. Red Oaks is an adapted ground floor residential home. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom, and there are communal living areas, consisting of 2 lounge areas, dining area, kitchen, and garden.

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

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

Right Culture: The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives

The management team were visible in the service and had oversight of the service provided. However, governance systems and process required further development to ensure the service stayed up to date with best practice and drive improvement. A person-centred culture was encouraged and supported. Staff worked well with each other and people using the service. The management team were committed to developing the quality of the service.

Right Support: Model of Care and setting that maximises people’s choice, control and independence

People lived in a pleasant and clean environment, they were supported to decorate their personal spaces how they wanted. The provider took responsive action to make changes to the environment to meet people's needs. There was a clear focus on independence and people were encouraged to achieve goals that supported this. People's health needs were supported and staff worked in collaboration with professionals. Individual risks to people and from the environment were assessed and responded to. 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.

Right Care: Care is person-centred and promotes people’s dignity, privacy and human rights

People received person-centred care that met their needs and interests. They were supported to access activities of their choice and the local community. Staff were kind and caring. People's dignity was promoted. Systems were in place to ensure people and relatives could provide feedback on the care they received. Staff listened to this feedback and made changes when required.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 23 March 2020 and this is the first ratings inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have recommended the provider review their governance systems to ensure they are robust and supporting the development of the service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.