Heather Holmes Care Home

Updated 6 March 2024

Heather Holmes is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 12 people. It specialises in supporting people who have learning disabilities and or autism. At the time of our inspection, 11 people were living there. We assessed quality statements for this assessment and found good practice. The scores for these areas have been combined with scores based on the rating from the last inspection (published 23rd August 2019). We carried out unannounced site visits on the 30th of August 2024, 14th September 2024, & 7th October 2024 and finished the assessment on 11th October 2024. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We spoke to people who live at Heather Holmes, 5 of their relatives, and 9 members of staff who work there. We sought feedback from the local authority, a commissioner, and health professionals who work with the service. We spent time in the care home speaking to people, and observing people who were non-verbal. We visited during the week and weekend, and at different times of the day. We observed the body language of people living at the service during their interactions with care staff to further help us understand their experience of the care they received. We reviewed a range of records including 6 people's care records and medication records. We looked at 8 staff files in relation to recruitment, supervision, and training. Records relating to the management of the service were reviewed including policies and procedures. We saw that improvements had been made since the last inspection. We identified some areas where improvements were needed. The provider took action to address these concerns immediately and sent us evidence of this. We were assured they had made the necessary improvements. The service is in the progress of transitioning to digital care planning and an incident reporting system which was considered throughout this assessment.

Updated 6 March 2024

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. 'Right support, right care, right culture' (RSRCRC) is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people. Right Support: People were shown dignity and respect, from a kind and compassionate staff team. People were supported to live safely and comfortably at the service, free from abuse or harm. Staff showed an understanding of people’s needs and were confident in giving care. With the right support people grew in self-confidence, developing skills and being enabled to maximise opportunities that would not otherwise be available to them. People were supported to access outside services if they chose too e.g. Work placements; to participate in their chosen leisure activities, and to access their local community. People were supported in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests if required. People were enabled to access specialist health and social care support if needed. People were encouraged to play an active role in maintaining and improving their health and well-being. Right Care: People living at Heather Holmes received individualised care and support which promoted their dignity, privacy and human rights. People were supported to develop skills and independence at an individual level. Staff were vigilant, responded to people's individual needs and focused upon supporting them to achieve a full and enriching quality of life. Right Culture: There was a culture of people being at the heart of the service. The registered manager and staff worked hard to instil a culture of care and good teamwork. Everyone valued and promoted people's individuality, protected their rights and enabled them to develop and flourish.