Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 15th June 2010. CQC found this care home to be providing an Good service.
The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection
and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.
For extracts, read the latest CQC inspection for The Cottage.
What the care home does well People are supported to make their own choices and decisions about how they live their lives, and their preferences are catered for. They are treated with dignity and respect, and their rights are upheld. They are supported to develop their independence where ever they are able to, and new social learning opportunities are regularly offered. There are good systems to make sure that people are kept safe, and this includes comprehensive staff training and supervision. What the care home could do better: The home continues to operate at a good standard, and provides individualised care and support. No requirements or recommendations were made as part of this inspection visit. Random inspection report
Care homes for adults (18-65 years)
Name: Address: The Cottage Heath Farm Heath Road Scopwick Lincolnshire LN4 3JD two star good service The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection. This is a report of a random inspection of this care home. A random inspection is a short, focussed review of the service. Details of how to get other inspection reports for this care home, including the last key inspection report, can be found on the last page of this report. Lead inspector: Wendy Taylor Date: 1 5 0 6 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: The Cottage Heath Farm Heath Road Scopwick Lincolnshire LN4 3JD 01526320312 01526323600 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: autismcareuk.com Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mr Peter Stuart Wakelin Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Autism Care (UK) Limited care home 10 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 learning disability Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home 10 The Cottage is located near to the village of Scopwick, and is approximately 10 miles from the town of Sleaford, Lincolnshire. It is part of a complex of services, which include four other registered homes, a resource centre, and a main administration centre on the same site. In the village of Scopwick there is a village shop and pub, and Sleaford offers a good range of shops and other amenities. The Cottage is registered for 10 people who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder and a learning disability. The accommodation is a spacious single storey building, which offers a range of living and recreational areas, including a well-kept garden area.
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 10 Brief description of the care home The Cottage is owned by Autism Care (UK), and the Responsible Individual for the service is Mr Gary Thompson. Mr Peter Wakelin is the Registered Manager. Information provided by the manager shows that the current weekly fees for the service range from £1526.39 to £3017.40, depending on peoples individual needs. Information about these costs and the day to day management of the home can be obtained from the main office in the home. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 10 What we found:
This unannounced random inspection took place during June 2010, and included a visit to the home. This type of inspection is carried out to monitor how the home is operating, and what the quality of the service is like for the people who live there. The visit lasted for three hours, and before we visited we looked at all of the information we had about the home. This included the last key inspection report, service reviews, and reports of any events that have happened in the home since the last time we visited. We also received surveys from people who use the service, staff who work there, and other professionals that help staff to meet peoples needs. These things are included in this report. During the visit we looked at things like peoples care plans, risk assessments, activity plans, and quality assurance audits. We looked around the home and found that things like maintenance and repairs were up to date, all of the living areas were clean and tidy, and new living room furniture had been bought. We also saw that a new relaxation area has been developed. We spoke to the staff and the manager of the home about how they meet peoples needs and wishes. People who live there were busy with their daily routines and activities, so we watched how they were being supported with these things. Individual Needs and Choices Care files were laid out in away that is easy to follow, and the information can be found easily as things like care plans and risk assessments are cross referenced. The care plans are individualised and very detailed, and they set out clear goals for each person such as developing their skills and independence. The assessments and care plans are based on nationally recognised tools and are reviewed regularly so that people can see the progress they are making. They show how people are supported to make choices and decisions, and include information on new laws to help them with making decisions, and uphold their rights. Surveys from other professionals told us that peoples privacy and dignity is always respected within the home. We saw that people were supported with their personal needs in private, staff spoke to people in a friendly and professional way, and they used the names that people prefer to be called. There is a lot of information about peoples cultural needs, their likes and dislikes, and their preferred daily routines. There are also assessments and management plans for areas of their lives where they may be at risk, such as safety outside the home, falls, and using transport. Surveys from people who use the service show us that they think staff always treat them well. We saw that staff followed peoples care plans consistent way, and they used peoples preferred communication methods to make sure they were given choices. Staff were able to show us that they have a very detailed knowledge and understanding
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 10 of peoples needs and preferences, and how they like to be supported with things like their morning routines, meal times, and activity programmes. They told us that they are always given enough information about peoples needs, and there is a good structure in place to help people develop their independence. Lifestyle Through surveys, people who live at the home told us that they can make decisions about what they want to do with their time, and they get good staff support to do this. One person said its nice at The Cottage, and another said I like it when staff smile. One person said that they would like to play more football and do more baking. Surveys from other professionals show that peoples social needs are always monitored and reviewed, and staff always respond to peoples differing needs. We saw that each person has an individual weekly activity plan, and they can choose from activities such as horse riding, football, walks, open college networks and hydrotherapy. A computer has also recently been provided for people to use. Care plans show that people are regularly offered the chance to take part in new activities so that they can develop confidence and skills. Staff were able to describe how they meet peoples different cultural needs, and told us about how one persons family had been invited into the home to show staff how to cook specific types of meals. Personal and Healthcare Support Medication care plans are very detailed. They show how each person likes to take their medicines, what the medicine is for, and what effects it can have on the person. There are also specific instructions about when to give medicines that a person may only have occasionally. We saw records which show that other managers from within the organisation visit the home each month to carry out checks on all aspects of medication recording and administration. The reports set out what they found, and what the home need to improve upon. Since our last visit the home has told us whenever there has been a mistake made with medication, and they have shown us that they managed the situations in the right way. We watched staff giving people their medicines and found that they followed the policies and procedures for the home. We saw that they had a very good understanding of peoples medicines care plans, and peoples personal preferences. Staff said that they have very good training about medication, and they have to pass an assessment before they are able to give it out. Other professional surveys told us that peoples health and personal needs are always met, and staff seek advice and support whenever they need to. Concerns and Complaints Records show that the service has received six complaints, and four alerts have been
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 10 made to the Local Authority Safeguarding Adults Team since 2008. We saw that all of the issues were managed in the right way, and records were clear and easy to follow. We know that the service has introduced new forms to record safeguarding alerts so that they are able to review the process more easily. Surveys show that people know how to make a complaint, and they all know who to speak to if they are unhappy with anything. Staff were able to describe in detail what they would do if a complaint was made, or they felt someone was at risk of abuse. Staffing Professionals surveys told us that staff always demonstrate the right skills and knowledge to meet peoples need. A comment was made that there is a highly skilled team in place. Staff files show that they have all of the pre employment checks, such as criminal record bureau checks, written references, and application forms, prior to starting work. Staff told us that they also did an induction course that covered all of the things they needed to know about the home and peoples needs. They also said that the on-going training programme keeps them up to date with new ways of working. They said that they can ask for special courses that relate to peoples needs and it is always arranged. We saw that the training programme includes courses such as communication methods, epilepsy awareness, safeguarding adults, new laws about decision making, dealing with behaviours, and moving and handling. Records also showed us that all staff hold nationally recognised care qualifications, including specialised qualifications in supporting people with learning disabilities. Staff told us that they have individual supervision sessions at least once in every two months. Records confirmed this, and staff said that the sessions help them to look at their own development and training. Rotas show that there are enough staff on duty to meet peoples individual needs, and one to one support is provided where ever needed. Conduct and Management of the Home. Records show that the manager has continued to update his knowledge and skills by attending various training courses related to management and care. During our visit he demonstrated extensive knowledge about peoples needs, and that he works along side staff to maintain that knowledge and give staff support. He always lets us know about anything that is happening in the home, and staff told us that he is very supportive and approachable. Staff told us that there is a manager on-call rota for them to use if they have need of support at any time, and we saw that this is displayed prominently. They said that communication within the home works well. Regular audits of the service take place, for things like care plans, medication, the environment, and general record keeping. We saw reports of the audits and how they are used to improve the service. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 10 What the care home does well: What they could do better: If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 2. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 10 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R Outstanding statutory requirements
These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 10 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection:
Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service.
No Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 9 of 10 Reader Information
Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report Care Quality Commission General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Copies of the National Minimum Standards –Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or got from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. © Care Quality Commission 2010 This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any format or medium for noncommercial purposes, provided that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a derogatory manner or in a misleading context. The source should be acknowledged, by showing the publication title and © Care Quality Commission 2010. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 10 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!
