Homelands

Updated 25 February 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

One inspector and an Expert by Experience visited the service on the 26 January 2023. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. Two inspectors visited the service on the 2 February 2023 to meet with the registered manager.

Service and service type

Homelands is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Homelands is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with a visiting health care professional. We also spoke with two care staff, a care adviser, the chef, an activities coordinator, the deputy manager, the registered manager and the registered provider. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and medication records. We looked at staff files in relation to recruitment and staff training. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service including quality monitoring checks, audits and policies and procedures.

Updated 25 February 2023

Homelands is residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to twelve people at the time of the inspection, some of whom are living with dementia. The service can support up to fourteen people.

Homelands is one of three locations at the same address owned by the provider. The service is part of the Oatleigh building and is situated on the first floor known as ‘Bond Street’. Some services and facilities such as activities, kitchen and laundry arrangements are shared between the locations as a community. Homelands has its own staff and operates independently, under the overall supervision and management control of the provider.

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

There were safeguarding procedures in place and the registered manager and staff had a clear understanding of these procedures. Appropriate recruitment checks had taken place before staff started work at the home. Staff were effectively deployed to meet people’s needs. People’s medicines were managed safely. There were effective systems in place for monitoring, investigating and learning from incidents and accidents. The service had procedures in place to reduce the risk of infections.

People’s care and support needs were assessed when they moved into the home. Risks to people had been assessed to ensure their needs were met safely. Staff were supported through induction, training and regular supervision. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to support people with their care needs. People were supported to maintain a healthy balanced diet and they had access to health care professionals when they needed them. The design of the premises was meeting people's needs. People were supported 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.

People and their relatives had been consulted about their care and support needs. People were offered a range of activities to support their need for social interaction and stimulation. Staff understood the importance of working within the principles of the Equality Act and supported people in meeting their diverse needs. There was a complaints procedure in place and people and their relatives said they were confident their complaints would be addressed. People had access to end of life care and support when it was required.

The registered manager and staff worked in partnership with health and social care providers to plan and deliver an effective service. The provider took people, their relatives, and professionals and staffs views into account through surveys. There were effective systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service and any learning was identified and acted on. Staff enjoyed working at the home and said they received good support from the registered manager and deputy manager.

Rating at last inspection.

The last rating for this service was good (published 28 March 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

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

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect