Highlands Road

Updated 3 May 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team: One Inspector carried out the inspection.

Service and service type: The service is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. The Care Quality Commission (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: Prior to the inspection, we checked all the information we had received about the service. We assessed the information received in the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection we spoke with two people and a senior support worker. After the inspection we obtained feedback from two support workers and two healthcare professionals. The registered manager was not available during our inspection.

Throughout the inspection we spent time in the communal areas of the home observing how staff interacted with people and supported them.

We reviewed three people’s care records, their medicines records, reviewed the providers recruitment process and checked a number of the providers policies and procedures relating to dignity and respect, staff training, support and supervision and we looked documents relating to the governance of the service.

Updated 3 May 2019

Highlands Road is a residential home that provides support for up to four people who may have learning disabilities or autism.

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.

People's experience of using this service:

People told us they were very happy living at Highlands Road. People told us they were encouraged to be independent and involved in developing their care and support plans. Staff understood people’s individual communication needs and worked in proactive ways to provide person-centred support.

Staff demonstrated knowledge of how to safeguard adults and promoted their human rights. Incidents were dealt with appropriately, which helped to keep people safe. People were supported with their health needs, this included being supported for a specific learning disability annual health check. People were referred to other health and social care professionals when required and were supported with their emotional well-being. Staff we spoke with told us they felt supported by the provider.

People told us staff were caring, supportive and kind. We observed staff to treat people in a dignified manner and people told us they were given privacy within the home. Activities were arranged for people that suited their individual interests. Staff actively explored what other activities or community groups were available locally to ensure that people had opportunities to engage in their community.

Support plans were detailed and recorded what was important to the individual. People were involved in planning their own lives and agreeing future goals. Support plans were person-centred, meaning people were at the heart of how they wanted their care and support to be provided.

Staff told us they felt well trained and supported. The home had a consistent staff team who understood the needs of people well. We saw staff upheld and promoted people's rights relating to equality and diversity.

People, staff and professionals told us they thought the home was well led and they spoke positively about the senior support worker and the registered manager. The provider and registered manager carried out numerous audits to ensure the service was effective. Staff supported people to integrate into the local community and the culture of the service promoted the values of supporting people to be as independent as possible.

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Rating at the last inspection: The service was rated as good and the report was published on 16 September 2016.

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