Archived: Hardwick Close

Updated 10 May 2017

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 25 November 2016. The provider was given one day’s notice of the inspection, as this was a small service where people were often out during the day and we needed to make sure that someone would be available to meet us. The inspection team consisted of one inspector and one expert-by-experience. The expert-by-experience had experience of managing services for people with a learning disability and of caring for a person with a learning disability.

We reviewed any information we held about the service, including any information the provider had sent us. This included the provider information return (PIR). A PIR is a report that we ask the provider to complete which gives details of how they deliver their service, including numbers of staff and people using the service, and any plans for development. We also reviewed any notifications the provider had sent us. Notifications are reports the provider must send to us to tell us of any significant incidents or events that have occurred.

In order to gather information to make an assessment of the quality of the service, we spoke with people and looked at a variety of records. We spoke with the registered manager, four care staff and observed interactions with people who used the service. We reviewed three care records which included needs assessments, risk assessments and daily care logs; and management records which included three staff records, policies, development plans and evidence of training.

Updated 10 May 2017

The inspection took place on the 25 November 2016. The provider was given one day’s notice of the inspection, as this was a small service where people were often out during the day and we needed to make sure that someone would be available to meet us. The service was last inspected in July 2014 and was compliant in the areas inspected.

The service was registered to care for eight people with learning disabilities; there were seven people living there on the day of the inspection. Many of the people had complex health needs as well as a learning disability and had very little or no speech. This made it difficult to obtain direct quotes from them; however, we were able to gather evidence of their experience by observations and talking with the staff who cared for them.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

People were safe living at Hardwick Close. Staff were trained and understood their responsibility to keep people safe from harm or abuse. Some staff were not clear what the emergency evacuation procedures were for people who required assistance to transfer; and the registered manager said they would review this with staff. Medicines were managed well and there were processes in place to support staff with this.

Staff had the knowledge, skills and confidence to care for people with complex needs. Training was available to keep staff updated with current best practice and staff explained how they benefited from the training they had received. Staff sought consent before they cared for people. People were supported to maintain a healthy diet; and were encouraged to make their own choices. People were supported to attend health appointments in order to maintain their general health.

Staff had positive, caring relationships with people who used the service. Staff were kind and compassionate and took time to listen to people and understood their needs and wishes. Staff promoted peoples independence and demonstrated respect for individuals and their human rights. Staff cared for people with dignity and privacy was respected. People were supported to maintain relationships with friends and family, and visitors were encouraged. People were supported to attend events or activities where they could meet people.

Care plans were person centred and staff clearly knew people’s individual needs, wishes and preferences. People were supported to maintain their interests and participate in activities of their choosing. There was a complaints policy in place in an easy read format; and people or their families were encouraged to share any concerns and make suggestions for improvements to people’s care. The provider conducted annual surveys; and sent newsletters to inform people and staff of recent developments or improvements.

There was visible management and leadership of the service. Staff spoke positively of the support provided by the registered manager; and we could see that people were comfortable in their presence. The registered manager completed audits of processes in the service; and provided data to the provider which fed into their monitoring process. Staff meetings and supervisions took place regularly and areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the team; along with feedback from the provider of the results of their monthly monitoring. The manager responded positively to areas we highlighted during our inspection and said they would include them in their development plan.