Archived: Honeywood

Updated 4 August 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 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 the 20 June 2018, and was unannounced.

The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

The provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). 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. Prior to the inspection we reviewed this and other information we held about the service, we looked at the previous inspection report and notifications received by the Care Quality Commission. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

As most people using the service were unable to verbal tells about their experiences within the service; We spent time observing care in the communal areas and used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We also spoke with the registered manager, Deputy manager, one senior carer and two of the support staff. We reviewed three people’s care files. We also looked at quality monitoring, audit information and policies held at the service and the service’s staff support records for the members of staff including the registered manager.

Updated 4 August 2018

The inspection was completed on 20 June 2018 by one inspector there were six people living at the service. The previous inspection in January 2017 found a breach in the area of staffing.

Honeywood offers a supported living service for adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, communication and sensory impairments and complex healthcare needs. At the time of our inspection, there were six people living in the service. The service is located in Grays, Essex and purpose built on one floor. Each person has a single room with en-suite , kitchen, dining room and lounge. There is a rear enclosed garden at the back of the bungalow with level access. There is parking available at the service as well as on street parking.

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.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Requires improvement in Safe, Effective and Well-Led. At this inspection, we found improvements had been made in all domains.

The service was safe. The provider’s recruitment processes ensured that appropriate checks were carried out before staff commenced employment. There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet the needs of people and keep them safe from potential harm or abuse. People’s health and wellbeing needs were assessed and reviewed to minimise risk to health. The service had a good management and monitoring structure in place for medication.

The service was effective. People were cared for and supported by staff who had received training to meet their needs. The registered manager had a good understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People were supported to eat and drink enough as to ensure they maintained a balanced diet and referrals to health and social care services were made when required.

The service was caring. Staff cared for people in an empathetic and kind manner. Staff had a good understanding of people’s preferences. Staff always worked hard to promote people’s independence through encouraging and supporting people to make informed decisions.

The service was responsive. People and their relatives were involved in the planning and review of their care. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis and when there was a change in care needs. People were supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. The service responded to complaints received in a timely manner.

The service was Well Led. The service had systems in place to monitor and provide good care and these were reviewed on a regular basis. The registered manager told us that current systems and processes where being updated and improved.