May Lodge

Welcome to May Lodge, a residential care home offering support for individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism. This report summarises the findings of a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), providing families with an overview of the service's performance across key areas. The inspection aimed to ensure the home provides safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led support, with a particular focus on safeguarding concerns and infection control measures.

Regarding safety, May Lodge ensures residents are protected from harm through staff who know them well and have received additional safeguarding training. Risk assessments are thorough, and processes are in place to manage health risks, including those related to epilepsy and bowel movements. The home operates within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, with appropriate authorisations in place when needed. Staffing levels are sufficient, with agency staff used to maintain continuity when necessary, and recruitment processes promote safety. Medication is administered and stored safely, with staff adhering to best practices and principles to avoid over-medication. Infection prevention and control measures are robust, ensuring the safety of residents, staff, and visitors, and the home is well-prepared to manage any outbreaks. Learning from incidents is a key focus, with actions taken to prevent recurrence, such as adjusting routines or improving environmental safety.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents are supported to pursue their interests and achieve their goals in a way that maximises their choice and control, using the least restrictive methods. The environment is safe, clean, and well-maintained to meet residents' needs.

On caring, residents receive kind and compassionate care, with staff protecting their privacy and dignity while responding to individual needs. Relatives describe staff as knowledgeable and caring, and they feel their loved ones are safe at the service.

As for responsiveness, the home actively involves residents and their relatives in care planning. Feedback is sought and acted upon, and relatives report being kept well-informed about their loved ones' care and any incidents.

Finally, regarding how well-led the service is, the registered manager fosters a positive culture where staff feel respected, supported, and valued, contributing to an improvement-driven environment. The management is visible, approachable, and takes a genuine interest in feedback from everyone involved. Robust governance systems are in place, including regular audits, and the manager demonstrates a clear understanding of regulatory requirements and ensures compliance. The service actively engages with residents, their families, and external partners to continuously improve care. The duty of candour is understood and practised, with relatives confirming they are kept informed about incidents.