Harboro

Updated 13 March 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 6 February 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was completed by one inspector.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). The PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed other information that we held about the service including previous inspection reports and notifications. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

We contacted the local authority commissioning and safeguarding teams. They did not raise any concerns about Harboro. We also contacted the local Healthwatch board. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

Due to some people’s complex care needs they were not able to tell us directly about their experiences living at Harboro. We made observations of the care and support provided at Harboro and people’s gestures and facial expressions when interacting with staff and the inspector.

We spoke with one person who used the service, two relatives, the registered manager, deputy manager, assistant chief executive officer and four care staff. We looked at the care files of three people living at the service, two staff files and records relating to the management of the home including training records, quality assurance systems and maintenance records.

Updated 13 March 2018

Harboro is a residential care home for five people with learning disabilities and complex health needs. Harboro is a two story building with a communal lounge, sensory area, adapted bathroom and kitchen on the ground floor. Bedrooms are accessed by a lift to the first floor. There is a second adapted bathroom on the first floor.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated good.

Staff knew the people living at Harboro and provided individualised support for each person. Clear person centred care plans were in place detailing people’s interests, likes, dislikes and the support routines for the day. Risks had been identified and guidance provided for staff to mitigate the known risks. Clear behavioural support plans were in place where people had complex behaviours.

People and their relatives told us they felt safe living at Harboro. Staff were described as being kind and caring. Staff were able to explain how they supported people to maintain their privacy and dignity. Observations showed staff supported people in a respectful way.

People were supported by a team of trained staff. Staff completed a thorough induction and annual competency checks so they were able to meet people’s complex health needs. The provider had achieved the investors in people’s award. These awards are given to services that demonstrate a commitment to the on-going training and development of their staff.

Robust recruitment procedures were in place to recruit staff who were suitable to support vulnerable people. Staff said they felt well supported by the registered and deputy managers. Supervisions and staff meetings were held where staff were able to discuss the support people required and their own development.

Medicines were safely managed by the service and people received their medicines as prescribed. People’s nutritional and health needs were met by the service.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. Residents meetings were held and people’s relatives had been involved in agreeing the care and support provided.

A comprehensive quality assurance process was in place. Monthly audits were completed and quality assurance reports written for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the provider’s trustees. Evidence was seen that the assistant CEO and CEO carried out their own audit checks at the service.

Surveys were completed to gain feedback from people living at Harboro, their relatives, staff and other professionals involved with the home. These were used to inform the quality assurance process and to drive improvements at the service.

A range of activities was available for people to engage in. The provider had employed drivers so that people were able to attend activities even if the staff supporting them were unable to drive.

The home had been adapted to meet the needs of the people living there. Track hoists were available in communal rooms and there was an adapted accessible bathroom on each floor.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.