Archived: Heatherway Resource Centre

Updated 25 March 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 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 took place on 8 February 2017. The inspection was announced and carried out by one inspector. We gave the service notice of our inspection as we needed to be sure the registered manager would be available during our visit.

During our visit we spoke with the registered manager and three members of staff. We observed care and support in communal areas and looked at the care records for two people. We also looked at records that related to how the service was managed.

We spoke with eight carers of people using the service by telephone following our visit.

Updated 25 March 2017

Heatherway Resource Centre is owned and managed by the London Borough of Croydon and provides short term respite care for people who have a learning disability. Heatherway Resource Centre can offer respite accommodation, care and support for up to five people at any one time.

A strategic review of the service was on-going at the time of this inspection with carers, people using the service and staff awaiting a decision about its future.

At the last inspection in February 2015, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

The service demonstrated they continued to meet the regulations and fundamental standards.

The majority of carers were positive about the service provided and were clearly worried about its possible closure following the strategic review.

People using the service at Heatherway received care and support from a consistent group of staff who knew them well and understood their needs and preferences. Each person had an individualised care profile to make sure they received the support they required. Assessments completed by the service identified any risks to each person and helped to promote their safety.

People were supported to have their health needs met. We saw that people’s prescribed medicines were being stored securely and managed safely during their respite stay.

The staff attended regular training which gave them the knowledge and skills to support people effectively. People were supported to have choice and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Carers felt able to speak to the registered manager or other staff to raise any issues or concerns and were confident that these would be acted upon.

An experienced registered manager was in post who knew the service and the people living there very well. There were systems in place to help ensure the safety and quality of the service provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below