Archived: Hixberry Lane

Updated 15 November 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 comprehensive inspection was carried out by one inspector on 9 and 10 October 2018 and was unannounced.

The provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR) and submitted this to us on 25 May 2017. 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 reviewed information we held about the service including statutory notifications that had been submitted. We also reviewed our records of statutory notifications which include information about important events which the provider is required to send us.

Not everyone who was staying at the service on the day of the inspection were able to share their views with us, therefore we contacted three people and four relatives by telephone to obtain their views on the service provided.

During the inspection we spoke with two support workers, the team leader, deputy manager, the registered manager and the area manager .

We reviewed four people’s care records including those for medicines, two staff personnel files and records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 15 November 2018

This inspection of Hixberry Lane Short Break Service took place on 9 and 10 October 2018 and was unannounced. At their last inspection on 2 and 3 March 2016, they were found to be meeting the standards we inspected and were rated as overall Good. At this inspection on 9 and 10 October 2018 the overall rating remains Good.

Hixberry Lane Short Break Service 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. Hixberry Lane provides short term support without nursing care for up to four people who have a learning disability and who may also have a physical disability, mental health needs or other complex health needs. The service is owned by Hertfordshire County Council and the property is managed by Aldwyck Housing Association. Hixberry Lane is a four-bedroom ground floor unit with a communal lounge/ dining area which is situated beside a supported living service. There were four people at the service at the time of the inspection.

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 learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.” Registering the Right Support CQC policy.

The service had a registered manager. The registered manager also managed the supported living service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

The environment was clean throughout though lack of storage space could impact on infection control. However, communal areas required decorating to refresh them and make them more homely. The kitchen had been renewed but was not made adaptable for people using wheelchairs to access.

People were safe, happy and supported by staff with the necessary skills to do this. Staff had been trained to safeguard people from avoidable harm. People had access to safeguarding information in an easy read format to help keep themselves safe.

Risks to people’s health and well-being were identified, planned for and managed. There were sufficient competent and experienced staff to provide people with appropriate support when they needed it.

Personal emergency evacuation plan plans had been developed for each person and staff knew what support would be provided in the event of an emergency such as a fire.

People received care from staff who knew them well. People were involved in the planning, and reviews of the care and support provided.

Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect. Relatives were positive about the care and support provided.

Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines in a way they had been prescribed.

Staff received training and refresher updates relevant to their roles and had regular supervision meetings to discuss and review their development and performance.

The service worked within the principles of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People were 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.

People were supported to maintain good health and had access to health and social care professionals when necessary.

Relatives knew how to make a complaint and were sure they would be listened to and any concerns acted upon.

Staff had developed positive and caring relationships with the people they cared for and knew them very well. The confidentiality of information held about their medical and personal histories was securely maintained.

The registered manager, deputy, team leader and staff had created a warm welcoming atmosphere for people and their friends and families. There were close relations with social and healthcare professionals and the quality and safety of the service was reviewed regularly.