We carried out a review of the data available to us about Halifax Drive on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Halifax Drive, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
• The provider ensured there was sufficient stock of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and we observed staff wearing this in line with national guidance.
• There was a testing programme in place for staff and people living in the service. This was to ensure if any staff or people had contracted Covid-19 and were asymptomatic, this was identified in a timely way.
• There was a clear procedure in place to ensure people were admitted to the service safely.
• Information and guidance including easy read documents were available to staff and people living in the service, these related to Covid-19 and infection control.
• The registered manager had introduced a visiting procedure where all visitors were required to have their temperature taken, have sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and were instructed regarding social distancing.
• The provider had ensured staff were skilled in infection prevention control. This included modules about infection control and training relating to ‘Donning and Doffing’, how to put on and remove Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• People were supported with their well-being when they were unable to have visitors to the service. People were supported to keep in contact with friends and relatives through video calls.
• Staff were supported with their well-being throughout the covid pandemic. This included support while staff were shielding and thank you gifts for staff.
• The service was clean and well maintained.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
Halifax Drive is a residential care home that can provide accommodation and personal care for up to 33 younger adults with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders, and/or a mental health needs. The premises was divided into four units, Ash Lodge, Beech Lodge, Cedar Lodge, and the Bungalow. There was a
range of communal areas including lounges, dining rooms, and gardens. At the time of our inspection there were 31 people using the service.
The service had not originally been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensured that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
The service was situated in a large building, bigger than most domestic-style properties. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received safe care and were protected against avoidable harm, neglect and discrimination. Risks to people’s safety were assessed and strategies were put in place to reduce the risks.
People received support from staff who had undergone a robust recruitment process. They were supported by regular live-in staff who knew them and their needs well, which promoted continuity of care. Where the provider took on the responsibility, people's medicines were safely managed. Systems were in place to control and prevent the spread of infection.
People’s needs, and choices were fully assessed before they received a care package. Staff received an induction and ongoing training that enabled them to have the skills and knowledge to provide effective care.
People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain their health and well-being. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and access healthcare services.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The service had a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere where visitors were welcomed and encouraged. Staff provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They knew the people who used the service well and had built up kind and compassionate relationships with them.
People and relatives, where appropriate, were involved in the planning of people’s care and support. People's privacy and dignity was always maintained.
Care plans were detailed and supported staff to provide personalised care. People were encouraged to take part in a variety of activities and interests of their choice. There was a complaints procedure in place and systems to deal with complaints effectively. The service provided appropriate end of life care to people when required.
The service was well managed. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and actions were taken, and improvements were made when required. The service worked in partnership with outside agencies. Staff, people using the services and relatives were encouraged to provide feedback which was analysed and acted upon.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 12 August 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.
Halifax Drive provides care and support for up to 33 adults with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders, and/or a mental health needs. All bedrooms are single and one has ensuite facilities. The premises are divided into four units, Ash Lodge, Beech Lodge, Cedar Lodge, and the Bungalow. There are a range of communal areas including lounges, dining rooms, and gardens.
At the time of this inspection there were 32 people using the service.
The service has a registered manager. This is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People made many positive comments about the service and also told us how good they thought the registered manager was. The culture of the home was open, friendly and welcoming. People and staff were keen to talk with us and share their experiences of the service which were all positive.
People and staff had relationships of mutual respect and consideration. People were able to make choices and mistakes and were well supported with both. The staff had a good understanding of the challenges some people faced due to their mental health needs and learning disabilities and supported them to overcome these and live independent and fulfilling lives.
People told us about the different ways living at Halifax Drive made them feel safe. They said they felt the premises were secure, as were their money and possessions. They also said they trusted the registered manager and staff and this made them feel safe too.
There were enough staff employed to meet people’s needs and support them to remain safe both at the service and went they went out. We saw people got on well with the staff. Medicines were safely managed and people told us they received them when they needed them.
All the staff we met were knowledgeable about the people using the service and were trained to carry out their roles effectively. We saw staff use good interpersonal skills when supporting people to take part in activities. Staff continually encouraged people to be independent and to make informed decision about their daily lives.
It was a warm day when we inspected and people were offered drinks, ice creams and frozen lollies to ensure they were hydrated. We saw people going into the kitchen and helping themselves to drinks and snacks when they wanted to, and staff offered to bring drinks and snacks to those who were less mobile. People told us they liked the food provided at the service. Some people had individual diets due to their cultural or health requirements so staff provided halal, diabetic and other diets to meet people’s needs and preferences.
People told us the registered manager and staff were caring and they got on well with them.
Staff also communicated well with people and supported them with their personal relationships and friendships. There were no taboo subjects and the registered manager told us all staff at the service were non-judgemental and supported people in the way that an enlightened family member would.
Some people chose to show us their rooms which they were proud of. They said staff always knocked on the door and waited for permission before entering which helped to protect their privacy.
People told us staff supported them in the way that they wanted and they could make choices about all aspects of their lives. Staff at the service encouraged people to be as independent as possible. Since our last inspection eight people had moved on from Halifax Drive to supported living. Several of these people continued to visit Halifax Drive for coffee/tea and a chat. This showed that people had a positive view of the service and regarded it as source of stability in their lives.
The care plans we saw focused on people’s strengths and abilities and how the person wanted to be supported. Their likes and dislikes were recorded and other key information staff needed to know in order to provide them with responsive care and support.
People told about the range of one-to-one and group activities they took part in both at the service and in the community. These included a men’s club, an art group, shopping, pub lunches, and discos. The service had its own minibus for people to use. One person helped out in café, one helped out at market. Three people were visiting a local farm on the day of our inspection visit.
Other people told us they preferred a quieter life. One person told us they liked to see their relatives, go to the shops with staff, and watch television. Staff told us that some people using the service didn’t want to join in activities but staff always asked them in case they changed their minds. Some people attended places of worship and religious and cultural festivals were celebrated at the service.
People told us they would speak out if they had any complaints about the service. Records showed that if people had complained about any aspect of the service, either formally or informally, they received a positive response. Staff listened to them and took action where necessary to address their concerns in a responsive and helpful manner.
All the staff we spoke with were enthusiastic about working for the service and said the registered manager was supportive and provided them with good leadership. The registered manager, quality improvement lead, and provider carried out regular audits of all aspects of the service and made improvements where necessary in response to these.
This inspection took place on 2 February 2015 and was unannounced.
Halifax Drive provides care and support for up to 33 adults with a learning disability, an autistic spectrum disorder, or a mental health need. The home has 33 bedrooms one of which has ensuite facilities. The home is divided into three units, Ash Lodge, Beech Lodge, and Cedar Lodge, over two floors. There are five lounges and three dining rooms.
At the time of this inspection there were 29 people using the service.
The home has a registered manager. This is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People were safe and comfortable in the home. They were happy to approach staff for support, speak out, and give their opinions. The home had an open culture and people shared their views about the service willingly.
Staff were trained in safeguarding (protecting people who use care services from abuse) and knew what to do if they were concerned about the welfare of any of the people who used the service.
There were enough staff on duty to keep people safe and meet their needs. Staff had the time they needed to support people safely. If people needed assistance this was provided promptly and at no time were people left unsupported. Some people had one-to-one staffing at certain times of the day to meet their particular needs.
Staff were trained to meet people’s needs and knew their likes, dislikes, and how they preferred to be supported. They were knowledgeable about how to protect the rights of people who were not always able to make or communicate their own decisions.
There was a choice of dishes at each meal. Some people liked to have their meals out in the community and were supported to do this. People’s nutritional needs were in need of review to ensure they were being met
People had access to a range of health care professionals including GPs, mental health practitioners, district nurses, chiropodists, opticians, and dentists. If staff were concerned about people’s health they referred them to the appropriate health care services and accompanied them to appointments.
Staff were caring in their approach and had a good understanding of people’s needs and how best to approach them. They took their time to listen to people and it was evident they had built up genuine and supportive relationships with the people who used the service.
We saw examples of staff going out of their way to assist people who faced particular challenges in their lives. We found that people trusted the staff looking after them, and that staff supported people and used a range of resources to provide comfort and reassurance.
If people were at risk due to certain lifestyle choices staff addressed this in a caring and positive way, and took action to maximise their safety.
People were involved in planning their own support programmes and had regular meetings with staff to review their support and comment on it. Staff knew how to respect people’s privacy and dignity, protect their human rights, and provide care that met their needs.
When we inspected some people were taking part in activities of their choice but others were unoccupied. Improvements were needed to people’s plans of care for activities as they did not show how people could be supported to do the activities they wanted.
If people wanted to raise concerns about the service staff assisted them to do this. People had access to a visiting advocate and a visiting befriender who could provide support.
People contributed to the running of the service and changes and improvements had been made in response to their feedback. The registered manager worked alongside staff ’ and the people who used the service knew who she was and were happy to approach her.
All aspects of the service were monitored and checked on a regular basis. Some minor improvements were needed to the way the premises were checked so that actions could be taken to address any issues.
We found support plans and others records had improved since we last visited the service earlier in the year. We found the providers' assessment process identified and reassessed people's needs and that the support and care people received was as detailed within their records.
People we spoke with knew who to contact if they were unhappy or were concerned about their care and support. One person said: 'I know about whistleblowing, I'd go to the board with the phone numbers on it and use my phone to make a call.' Staff we spoke with demonstrated a good understanding of their role and responsibilities in keeping people who use the service safe.
We found evidence of poor record keeping and improvements are needed. We found the provider's assessment process to identify and reassess people's needs was not implemented. Records detailing the care, support and welfare of people were not regularly reviewed, dated or signed. A number of documents within people's records had not been completed.
People told us they accessed services within the local community independently or with staff support, which for some people included one to one support. Records detailed the support provided by care staff.
People's records detailed the care and support individuals required and included the role of staff in providing support. Care and support plans covered a range of topics and included the management of people's behaviour should it become challenging and the support and monitoring of people's health.
Records showed staff had received training relevant to the needs of people using the service and that staff were supported through regular meetings and supervision.
The service had an effective quality assurance system which provided people using the service to comment on the service they receive through the completing of surveys and attendance at internal and external meetings.
People living at Halifax Drive were supported to access a range of community resources which included paid and voluntary work, college courses and day centre activities. People had also accessed recreational and social activities that had included attending discos, social clubs and maintaining contact with friends and relatives.