The Oaks

The Oaks is a residential care home that supports eight individuals with learning disabilities, autism, or physical needs. This report focuses on the home's approach to infection prevention and control, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It outlines the measures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and staff, including cleaning protocols, visitor management, and staff training. The inspection aimed to assess how effectively the service adheres to regulations and guidelines to create a secure environment for those it supports.

When considering safety, the home demonstrated robust cleaning schedules, including frequent sanitisation of high-touch areas, and had clear procedures for managing visitors, including the use of lateral flow tests. Staff were trained in infection prevention and understood the importance of their actions, with measures in place to cover staff absences effectively and minimise risks when staff worked across different services. However, there were some concerns regarding the general upkeep of the premises, such as damaged finishes and unsealed flooring, which made maintaining a completely hygienic environment challenging, though no COVID-19 cases were identified during the inspection.

Regarding effectiveness, the care provided ensured people could access the community and day services safely, with staff supporting them with testing before and after outings. The service also had specific risk assessments in place for COVID-19, including considerations for staff and residents from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, identifying specific tasks that individuals from these backgrounds should avoid to minimise risk.

In terms of caring practices, the inspection found that staff were vigilant in their approach to preventing the spread of infection, ensuring visitors followed protocols and that residents were supported safely. The home also demonstrated a commitment to keeping up-to-date with current guidelines and regulations.

The responsiveness of the service was evident in its efforts to support residents' engagement with the wider community and external services. The home's procedures for managing external access, including for essential services like paramedics, were based on risk assessments that weighed the benefit to the individual against potential risks, ensuring that emergency care could always be provided.

Finally, concerning how well-led the service is, the provider had systems in place to manage COVID-19 related staffing pressures and ensure that staff and visiting professionals met vaccination requirements unless exempt or in an emergency situation. The home's commitment to infection prevention and control was evident throughout the inspection, assuring that measures were in place to prevent and manage outbreaks effectively.