9 October 2018
During a routine inspection
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.