The Meath Epilepsy Charity

The Meath Epilepsy Charity provides residential care and personal support for up to 84 adults living with epilepsy and associated learning or physical disabilities. The service operates across nine individual houses and flats in Godalming, featuring shared amenities such as a gym, café, and skills centre. Recent findings from the care quality inspectors highlight several areas where practices and oversight need to be strengthened to ensure consistent safety and person-centred support across all households.

When examining safety measures, residents and their families reported feeling secure and well supported by staff who understand how to manage seizures. However, inspectors identified concerns regarding risk management, particularly the need for more individualized risk assessments related to epilepsy and consistent night-time monitoring checks. While medicines were generally administered as prescribed, improvements are required in how medications are safely stored and temperature-monitored. Additionally, while most safeguarding concerns were handled promptly, one instance experienced delays, and staff must ensure infection control guidelines, such as mask-wearing in communal areas, are consistently followed.

Regarding the effectiveness of the care provided, staff demonstrated a strong understanding of legal frameworks concerning mental capacity, ensuring that residents are supported to make their own choices and are involved in decisions about their daily lives.

In terms of the care experience, residents benefit from a warm and relaxed atmosphere where staff know them well. People are encouraged to build independence, enjoy meaningful activities, and engage with the local community, supported by a stable team of regular staff and adequate staffing levels.

Concerning responsiveness, care plans generally detailed how to support individuals safely, but the consistency of these plans varied across the different houses and flats making up the service.

Finally, leadership and oversight require strengthening. The management systems and internal audits failed to identify shortfalls in risk management, medicine storage, and infection control practices. Action plans were not always monitored effectively, and inconsistencies in management support across the different properties highlight the need for more robust, centralized governance.