The Homestead

Updated 6 March 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 27 January 2021 and was announced.

Updated 6 March 2021

This comprehensive inspection took place on 16 February 2018. The inspection was unannounced which meant that the staff and provider did not know that we would be visiting.

At our last inspection in December 2015 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.

The Homestead 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 Homestead is a large detached property situated in a residential area of Exmouth. The home is set over three floors with access via a passenger lift. The main communal spaces are situated on the ground floor. The service provides accommodation for up to 24 older people. There were 22 people living at the home at the time of our inspection. The provider also provided a day care provision during the week at the home. This was not inspected as it was not part of the provider’s regulated activity.

Why the service is rated Good:

People told us they felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them. Comments included, “I can’t fault them. They are superb.”

The home had a registered manager. A registered manager 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.

Staff had received safeguarding training and were aware how to raise concerns if they felt people were at risk of abuse or poor practice.

Medicines were safely managed and procedures were in place to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.

People were supported by adequate staff levels to meet their needs. The staff had the required recruitment checks in place. Staff received an induction and had received training and developed skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs.

People received person centred care. Staff knew people well, understood their needs and cared for them as individuals. They were familiar with people’s history and backgrounds and supported them fairly and without bias.

People were treated with respect and compassion by staff. They were relaxed and comfortable with staff that supported them. Staff were discreet when supporting people with personal care, respected people’s choices and acted in accordance with the person’s wishes.

People’s views and suggestions were taken into account to improve the service. Monthly residents meetings were carried out and an individual review with the registered manager each month.

People were referred promptly to health care services when required and received on-going healthcare support. Health and social care professionals were regularly involved in people’s care to ensure they received the care and treatment which was right for them. People knew how to make a complaint if necessary. There had been no complaints received at the service since our last inspection.

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 support this practice. Staff demonstrated an understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. Where people lacked capacity, mental capacity assessments were completed and best interest decisions made in line with the MCA.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. DoLS provide legal protection for those vulnerable people who are, or may become, deprived of their liberty. The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities in relation to people being deprived of their liberty and the need to make an application to the local authority DoLS team if required.

People were supported to follow their interests and take part in social activities. A program of activities was available for people to attend as they chose.

People were supported to eat and drink enough and maintain a balanced diet. People were complimentary about the food at the service.

Not all information at the home had been provided to people in differing formats if they had a communication difficulty. We recommend the service consider how information could be made available to people to support assisted communication where they may benefit from this.

The provider had a range of quality monitoring systems in place which were used to continually review and improve the service.

The premises were well managed to keep people safe. The home was clean and homely with a welcoming homely atmosphere. Robust arrangements were in place to ensure the environment was kept clean and safe with audits being completed on all aspects of the building and equipment. There were emergency plans in place to protect people in the event of a fire or emergency.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.