Haroldstone Home

Updated 24 December 2021

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Haroldstone Home is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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

The inspection was announced. We gave 24 hours’ notice because some of the people using the service could not consent to a home visit from an inspector. This meant that we had to arrange for a ‘best interests’ decision about this.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered with us. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with one person who used the service, the registered manager, acting deputy manager and two support workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records and their medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with one relative of a person who lived at the service.

Updated 24 December 2021

About the service

Haroldstone Home is a residential home providing personal care for up to four adults with learning disabilities and autistic people with sensory and communication impairments. The home provided four single person rooms and communal areas including a lounge, dining room and private garden. Three people were living at Haroldstone Home at the time of our inspection.

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

People were protected from the risk of abuse. People told us they felt safe at the service. Risks to people's safety were managed. Staff were recruited safely. People received their prescribed medicines and medicines were managed safely. The service was clean and hygienic. COVID-19 government guidance was followed by staff.

People's needs were assessed before they moved into the service. Staff had been trained and had the necessary skills and experience to support people to achieve a positive lifestyle. People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. People had access to health services. The provider worked closely with external health professionals to monitor people's physical and mental health.

People were treated with kindness and their privacy was respected by staff. People were encouraged to express their views and were involved in making decisions about their support. This included reviewing their care plans or deciding what activities to take part in.

People were supported in line with their communication needs and staff demonstrated an excellent understanding of how to communicate with individuals. People were given information in a way they could understand. People were supported and encouraged to maintain relationships with their friends and relatives.

The registered manager and staff had a clear vision about the service and support they offered to people. A range of audits were completed to ensure good quality services. Staff and the registered manager worked together with other agencies to ensure people received the right care and support. People, staff and relatives were involved in the running of the service and were asked for feedback about the service.

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.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right support: People were actively supported to pursue their interests and to develop the skills to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Staff had a good understanding of people's individual support needs and empowered people to achieve their own aspirations.

Right care: people were supported in a person-centred way which promoted their dignity, privacy and human rights. For example, the environment was designed to support people's privacy and independence.

Right culture: Ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensured people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service was Good (published on 23 February 2018).

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection as part of a random selection of services rated Good and Outstanding to test the reliability of our new monitoring approach. We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

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