Griffin Lodge

Updated 24 September 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

The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

Griffin Lodge 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 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 first day of inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We asked Healthwatch Stockport for their views on the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. 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.

We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During our visit we spoke with one person who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, regional manager, operations manager and 5 care workers. During the inspection we spoke with two visiting healthcare professionals. Following our visit to the home, with their permission, we also telephoned two relatives of people who live at the home.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records, multiple medication records and records of care provided. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including training, policies and procedures were reviewed. We also spent time in communal areas of the home observing the support people received and how staff interacted with people who used the service.

Updated 24 September 2019

About the service

Griffin Lodge is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for people with learning disabilities and sensory impairment. The service can support up to 12 people. At the time of the inspection there were 12 people using the service.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 12 people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by how the service was organised and how people were supported. People using the service received planned and co-ordinated person-centred support appropriate and inclusive for them.

The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.

As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people. The service used some restrictive intervention practices as a last resort, in a person-centred way, in line with positive behaviour support principles (PBS).

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

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 be part of the wider community.

Staff were trained in and understood PBS. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported people in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The home was visibly clean and there were no unpleasant odours. Detailed risk assessments were in place, risks were well managed and detailed records were kept of care and support provided. Medicines were managed safely. Safe systems of recruitment were in place. Staff had received training in safeguarding people from abuse.

There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and staff received the induction, training and support they needed to carry out their roles. Peoples nutritional needs were met. The service worked closely with healthcare professionals to ensure people’s health needs were met.

Staff and the registered manager knew people well. Staff were patient, kind and caring and interactions were warm and friendly.

Care records, including PBS plans, were detailed and person centred. Activities were based on people's individual interests, hobbies and wishes. Peoples individual communication styles and methods were identified and respected.

There were now good systems of daily, weekly and monthly quality assurance checks and audits. People were positive about the registered manager and the changes since they had started at the service.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published August 2018) and there were three breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when, to improve.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations. We found the evidence supported the overall rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Griffin Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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.