Headroomgate

Updated 20 March 2020

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection team

This inspection was carried out by two inspectors and an expert by experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Headroomgate is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection:

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We completed our planning tool and reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included notifications we had received from the provider, about incidents that affected the health, safety and welfare of people supported by the service. We looked at previous inspection reports. We also sought feedback from partner agencies and health and social care professionals. We used all of this information to plan our inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who lived at Headroomgate and four relatives. We spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, cook and three care staff.

To gather information, we looked at a variety of records. This included medicines records and parts of three people’s care records. We also looked at other information related to the management of the service. We did this to ensure the management team had oversight of the service and they could respond to any concerns highlighted or lead in ongoing improvements. We walked around the building to check the home was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.

Updated 20 March 2020

About the service

Headroomgate is registered to provide personal care for 19 older people whose needs are associated with their mental health, ageing, physical disabilities, or dementia. The home is a large house with mainly single bedrooms on each floor. There are gardens and parking on site and the home is situated in a residential area, close to public transport. 18 people lived at Headroomgate when we inspected.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they felt they were looked after safely by the staff team. Staff assessed and managed avoidable risks so people were able to remain as independent as safely possible. Staff supported people with their medicines as prescribed. The registered manager had a thorough recruitment system and there were enough staff to meet people’s care and support needs. The home was clean and staff practised good infection control.

People had enough food and drink and staff were familiar with their dietary and nutritional needs. Staff supported people to see healthcare professionals promptly to make sure their health and wellbeing needs were met. People were helped to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff assessed people's capacity to make decisions. The home was comfortable and suitable for people’s needs. Staff had been trained, were supported and had the skills, knowledge and experience to provide good care.

The provider had a complaints policy and most people and their families felt able discuss any concerns or complaints. Staff had assessed, were familiar with and reported on people’s specific communication needs. People were supported to be involved in activities in house and in the local community. They could remain at Headroomgate, with familiar people to support them, when needing end of life care.

People told us they liked living at Headroomgate and were treated with respect and consideration. Staff were respectful and provided care that met people’s diverse needs and preferences. People, and if appropriate their relatives, were involved in planning their care. They were encouraged to make choices and decisions.

People said staff involved them in decisions about the home such as the planning of meals and social events. The registered manager monitored the service to check on the quality and to make sure staff were providing good care. They understood and acted on legal obligations, including conditions of CQC registration and those of other organisations. They worked in partnership with other services and organisations to make sure they followed good practice and people in their care were safe.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection the service was rated good (published 15 September 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.