Archived: Henshaws Society for Blind People - 8 Spring Mount Harrogate

Updated 24 February 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 checked 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 3 and 10 January 2018 and was announced on both days. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the service supports a small number of people and we needed to ensure people and staff were available to carry out the inspection.

The inspection was carried out by an inspector and an expert by experience on day one. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service. On day two, one inspector visited alone.

Before the inspection we reviewed all of the information we held about the service. This included information we received from outside agencies and statutory notifications since the last inspection. Notifications are when providers send us information about certain changes, events or incidents that occur within the service. We sought feedback from the commissioners of the service prior to our visit. The provider completed a provider information return (PIR) prior to this inspection. This 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 used all of this information to plan our inspection.

We spoke with four people and three of their relatives. We spent time in the communal areas and observed how staff interacted with people.

During the inspection, we spoke with the registered manager, a care worker, the human resources manager, housing and support manager and nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We received feedback from three visiting professionals during the inspection.

We reviewed a range of records. These included three people's care plans including medication records, three staff files one relating to recruitment and two relating to supervision, appraisal and training. We viewed records relating to the management of the service and a wide variety of policies and procedures.

Updated 24 February 2018

The inspection took place on 3 and 10 January 2018 and was announced on both days. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice because the service supports a small number of people and we needed to ensure people and staff were available to carry out the inspection.

Henshaws Society for Blind People – 8 Spring Mount Harrogate 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. Up to six people can be accommodated at the service. Six people lived there when we inspected. All of the people who lived in the service had a sensory impairment and/ or a learning disability and/or autism spectrum disorder.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with a learning disability and/or autism using the service can live as ordinary life as any citizen.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection, we found the service remained Good. However we saw improvements had been made and the service was now outstanding in the responsive are.

There was a manager in post who had registered with CQC.

Systems in place minimised the risk of harm to people. These included effective risk assessment of people’s needs, management of medicines, safe recruitment and effective management of accidents and incidents. The environment was well maintained and the provider had ensured all appropriate safety checks had been made.

We made a recommendation that the provider use the theory of Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) to design a care plan format which will provide staff with the information they need to intervene proactively where people need support. PBS is a method of learning about a person and why they may become anxious or distressed. Once staff understand why, they can work to remove triggers and/or support people better to prevent anxiety.

There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Staff received appropriate levels of training and support to enable them to carry out their role to a high standard. People benefited from staff having exceptional skills around understanding each person’s needs and aspirations. This included an excellent understanding of sensory impairment and how to use assistive technology to support people to be as independent as possible in all areas of their life, particularly through positive communication. Information was available in each person’s preferred format including policies and procedures such as complaints.

This meant people had feelings of wellbeing and a sense of being valued and included. People were supported to design their own care and make their own choices. They were treated with dignity and respect at all times.

The staff team were supported by an experienced registered manager who worked alongside the team and people who lived at the service, to ensure people received a quality and safe service. Quality assurance systems were effective.

The person centred care people received meant they were supported to achieve their chosen goals, maintain good health and improve their skills. Staff went the extra mile so people were able to live as full a life as possible.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.