Heathercroft

Updated 11 December 2019

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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Heathercroft is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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. The registered manager 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. This meant the staff and provider did not know when we would be visiting.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was 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 three people, two staff, the registered manager and the team leader [referred to in this report as ‘the managers’]. We looked at three people’s care records, three staff files as well as records relating to quality assurance and management of the service. We also observed interactions between people and staff.

After the inspection

We spoke with three people’s relatives.

Updated 11 December 2019

About the service:

Heathercroft is a small residential care home that provides care and support for up to five people with a learning disability in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection the home was fully occupied.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and / or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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

The provider had good quality assurance processes in place that monitored a wide scope of practices and procedures by staff. However shortfalls identified by these processes such as the areas of the home that needed for redecoration were not always actioned . This meant improvements were not always made where they were needed.

Some areas of the premises such as the bathrooms and the hall, stairs and landing areas needed redecorations.

Relatives told us they thought their family members were safe living at Heathercroft. They said staff took appropriate measures to ensure people were protected from identified risks and potential abuse.

Staff told us the training they received to do with safeguarding adults helped to protect people from harm. Whistleblowing procedures were in place and displayed on notice boards for all to see. Staff told us they were confident any concerns they reported would be dealt with appropriately.

People’s needs and risks were assessed holistically and clear outcome based guidance set out for staff to follow in people’s care plans.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

Effective infection control procedures were in place and staff received training with food hygiene.

There were sufficient staff to meet people's needs and safe recruitment practices were in place.

People’s medicines were stored, administered, recorded and audited appropriately. The provider had appropriate policies and procedures in place to support people safely with their medicines as prescribed.

The new ‘Plan for Life’ format implemented at Heathercroft has ensured a comprehensive process of assessing people’s needs and risks is carried out. People’s needs were met in a personalised way with their agreement and that of their relatives.

Staff completed training to ensure they were able to meet people’s needs effectively. Support was provided appropriately for staff with regards to their professional roles.

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.

Records showed people were supported to have their health needs met, with access to health professionals as required.

Relatives of people told us their relationships with the staff team was good. They said their privacy and dignity was respected. They also said they were able to express their views and preferences and staff responded appropriately.

The concerns and complaints procedures meant that people were able to make complaints or raise concerns and have confidence they would be responded to in an appropriate way.

The provider worked collaboratively with other agencies and organisations to meet people’s needs.

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

Rating at the last inspection

At the last inspection the service was rated good (published 21 June 2017).

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection in line with our inspection schedule based on the previous rating.

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.