Hazel Homes for Autism

Updated 30 October 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Hazel Homes for Autism 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.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we held about the service, including information gathered during the registration process. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection

We did not speak with people who used the service because they were unable to tell us about their experiences and we were not able to carry out structured observations because of the needs of the people who used the service. However, we carried out informal observations of staff providing care to people throughout the day. We also spoke with the registered manager and three members of staff, including the deputy manager and chef. We looked at two people’s care plans, two staff files and a range of other records including management checks, policies and procedures and staff rotas.

After the inspection

We reviewed further evidence we had asked the registered manager to send to us.

Updated 30 October 2019

About the service

Hazel Homes for Autism is a residential care home providing personal care to three young adults with learning disabilities and autism at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to five people in one adapted building.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The provider assessed and managed risks to people well, producing personalised risk management plans that allowed people to take positive risks while protecting them from harm. When things did go wrong, the provider learned from this to improve risk management plans. The provider made sure the premises were safe to use, clean and hygienic. There were robust systems and processes to protect people from the risks of being abused or by being cared for by unsuitable staff. Medicines were managed appropriately and there were enough staff to care for people safely.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The building was sufficiently adapted to meet people’s needs without overly restricting their freedom. Staff provided care to people only with their consent or in line with legal requirements around mental capacity and decision making. The provider sought expert advice from appropriately qualified professionals to make sure people’s needs were assessed and care was planned in line with best practice. People received the healthcare support they needed, and their eating and drinking needs were met. Staff received the training and support they needed to provide effective care.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent. Staff supported people to develop their daily living skills. They gave people information in ways they could understand to help them make choices about how to live their lives. Staff knew people well, treated them with kindness and respect, and promoted equality, privacy and dignity.

People received highly personalised care because the provider gathered detailed information about them and used this to plan their care. This included information about their support needs, preferences, religious and cultural needs and family relationships. People were able to choose from a variety of activities at home and in the community. People received accessible information in appropriate formats for them. The provider responded appropriately to complaints.

We have made a recommendation about recording people’s preferences around end of life care. This is best practice in case a person using the service dies suddenly.

The service had a person-centred culture where leaders promoted equality and inclusion. The registered manager made sure staff were well supported and aware of their responsibilities. The provider sought feedback from people, relatives, staff and other professionals, and used this to continuously improve the service. They completed a number of checks to make sure they were providing a high quality service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 27/09/2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.