Brighton Lodge

Brighton Lodge is a care home that provides accommodation and support for up to nine individuals with learning disabilities. This report details the findings of an inspection conducted in August 2018, following a change in ownership. The inspection focused on assessing the service's performance across five key areas: Safety, Effectiveness, Care, Responsiveness, and Leadership. The home operates from a large Victorian house and aims to promote independence, choice, and inclusion for its residents, allowing them to live as ordinary a life as possible. The registered manager was in place at the time of the inspection, overseeing the operations and ensuring compliance with regulations.

On safety, the home has robust policies and procedures to protect residents from abuse, and staff are well-trained to identify and report concerns. Risk assessments are comprehensive, covering various aspects of health and safety, and are acted upon to minimise identified risks. Recruitment processes are thorough, ensuring that suitable staff are employed. Arrangements are in place to maintain a safe building, including regular checks and fire safety measures, with responsive maintenance for necessary repairs. Staffing levels are generally sufficient to meet residents' needs, with contingency plans for unforeseen circumstances, and any gaps are filled by the provider's own staff, ensuring continuity of care. Medication management includes safe storage, accurate record-keeping, and a two-person checking system to minimise errors, with training provided to staff administering medicines. Infection control is maintained through cleaning schedules and adherence to procedures, with the kitchen achieving the highest rating from the Food Standards Agency. Lessons are learned from incidents, with reviews and actions taken to improve practice.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents' long-term needs are well understood by staff, and any changes are identified with professional advice sought when necessary. The service actively engages with residents in their assessments and supports them in achieving personal goals. Staff receive comprehensive induction and ongoing training, including the Care Certificate, to ensure they are equipped to provide high-quality support. Training focuses on understanding individual emotions and responses, and is often undertaken collaboratively to enhance team consistency. Residents are actively involved in menu planning, with their preferences and dietary needs catered for, and meals are prepared appropriately for those with specific requirements. The service effectively liaises with various organisations to ensure residents receive the necessary financial support and access to specialist equipment. Residents have access to essential healthcare services, with staff being attentive to early signs of illness. The home's environment is well-suited to residents' needs, with individualised room decoration and adaptations for specialist equipment. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act are followed, with capacity assessed and decisions made in residents' best interests, including proper procedures for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

Regarding how caring the service is, residents are consistently treated with kindness, respect, and compassion, fostering a calm, friendly, and familiar atmosphere. Staff build strong relationships with residents, understanding their individual needs through communication methods including Makaton, picture symbols, and talking mats, as well as by observing body language and facial expressions. Residents are actively involved in daily decisions about their care and are supported to express their views. Staff are mindful of privacy and dignity, with options for residents to choose their support staff and preferences for staff gender being met.

In its responsiveness, the service ensures residents are involved in creating their support plans, which are detailed and include visual aids, helping staff understand individual communication needs and signs of anxiety. These plans are effective in guiding staff support strategies. Residents are encouraged to pursue activities of their own choosing, ranging from cinema visits and theatre trips to outings and day centres, supporting them to maintain relationships and engage in a variety of interests. A gardening club has been established, fostering a sense of community and achievement. The provider offers a clear complaints procedure in both written and pictorial formats, ensuring accessibility for all residents.

Finally, on how well-led the service is, there is a clear vision for delivering high-quality care, supported by a positive, open, and transparent culture. Staff speak positively about the registered manager and senior team, who provide a supportive management structure. Residents are involved in the management of the service, contributing their views and preferences. Regular audits are conducted to evaluate the quality of care provided, and the registered manager actively seeks external feedback and maintains links with relevant agencies to continuously improve outcomes for residents.