3 January 2018
During a routine inspection
Henshaws Society for Blind People – 8 Spring Mount Harrogate 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. Up to six people can be accommodated at the service. Six people lived there when we inspected. All of the people who lived in the service had a sensory impairment and/ or a learning disability and/or autism spectrum disorder.
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 a learning disability and/or autism using the service can live as ordinary life as any citizen.
At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection, we found the service remained Good. However we saw improvements had been made and the service was now outstanding in the responsive are.
There was a manager in post who had registered with CQC.
Systems in place minimised the risk of harm to people. These included effective risk assessment of people’s needs, management of medicines, safe recruitment and effective management of accidents and incidents. The environment was well maintained and the provider had ensured all appropriate safety checks had been made.
We made a recommendation that the provider use the theory of Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) to design a care plan format which will provide staff with the information they need to intervene proactively where people need support. PBS is a method of learning about a person and why they may become anxious or distressed. Once staff understand why, they can work to remove triggers and/or support people better to prevent anxiety.
There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Staff received appropriate levels of training and support to enable them to carry out their role to a high standard. People benefited from staff having exceptional skills around understanding each person’s needs and aspirations. This included an excellent understanding of sensory impairment and how to use assistive technology to support people to be as independent as possible in all areas of their life, particularly through positive communication. Information was available in each person’s preferred format including policies and procedures such as complaints.
This meant people had feelings of wellbeing and a sense of being valued and included. People were supported to design their own care and make their own choices. They were treated with dignity and respect at all times.
The staff team were supported by an experienced registered manager who worked alongside the team and people who lived at the service, to ensure people received a quality and safe service. Quality assurance systems were effective.
The person centred care people received meant they were supported to achieve their chosen goals, maintain good health and improve their skills. Staff went the extra mile so people were able to live as full a life as possible.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.