Oakhurst Lodge in Ashurst given ‘good’ rating after latest inspection

A home for adults with autism and learning difficulties has significantly improved under new management to secure a ‘good’ rating from a care watchdog.

This comes a year after Oakhurst Lodge in Ashurst was rated ‘requires improvement’ by the Care Quality Commission.

Run by Cygnet Care Services, with Laura Jayne Brooks the registered manager, the home was rated ‘good’ across all categories – safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The facility, without nursing, provides care and support for up to eight adults.

Explaining the reason for the latest inspection, the CQC report said: “At our last inspection in May 2023, we found breaches of the regulations in relation to person-centred care, need for consent, safe care and treatment, safeguarding, good governance, and staffing.”

The inspectors had ruled the service was “inadequate – not safe” on safety, and “requires improvement” on effectiveness, leadership and overall.

But now the watchdog was satisfied, saying: “At this assessment we found improvements had been made and the provider was now meeting regulations.

“The provider had developed a new management team who most relatives and staff were positive about. A range of quality assurance systems were in place, and these were used effectively to ensure people received safe and high-quality care. The rating has changed from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’.”

Inspectors spoke to relatives who told them about improvements the home had made since the last inspection.

“They told us there had been changes to the staffing, including the management team, and communication, documentation and reporting of incidents had improved as a result,” the report said.

“They also told us the home was clean and well-appointed, and their relatives were happy to return to the home following family outings, therefore relatives felt people were kept safe.”