We carried out a review of the data available to us about Denehurst on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Denehurst, you can give feedback on this service.
The inspection was unannounced and was carried out on 4 and 8 May by one inspector.
Denehurst 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.
There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the home. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the home is run.
The care service is delivered 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 which ensure people using the service can live as ordinary life as any citizen.
There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people’s needs and keep them safe, both at home and when accessing their local community. Recruitment procedures were safe and ensured only suitable staff were employed to work at the home.
Staff received training, supervision and appraisal to support them in their roles and to provide them with the required skills, knowledge and competencies.
People were protected from abuse. Staff understood how to identify abuse and who to report to if they suspected abuse was taking place.
People’s medicines were managed safely. People received their medicines as prescribed by staff who had been trained to administer medicines safely.
Risks associated with people’s health, safety and welfare had been identified and assessed, and guidance was in place to help staff to reduce those risks. Emergency and evacuation procedures were in place and staff understood what to do in the event of an emergency.
People’s rights were protected because staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and worked within them. Deprivation of liberty safeguards had been submitted to the local authority for authorisation when required.
People had access to health care services when required and were supported by staff to maintain their health and wellbeing. People were offered a choice of food and drink that met their preferences and dietary needs.
Staff were kind and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. People were encouraged to maintain important relationships with family and friends.
Staff empowered people to make choices, take control of their lives and maintain their independence. People had access to advocacy services if they wanted this. People took part in a wide range of activities in line with their interests and life goals.
People and their relatives were involved in developing detailed support plans which provided guidance for staff in how the person would like their support to be received.
The provider met the Accessible Information Standards. Staff used a range of communication techniques and provided information to people in a way they could understand, such as signs, pictures and symbols which helped them to make informed choices.
Systems were in place to monitor and assess the quality and safety of the service. People and relatives were offered opportunities to feedback their views about the care provided and this was used to improve the service.
Complaints procedures were available and displayed throughout the home in picture format. People knew who to speak to if they wanted to complain.
There was a positive, supportive and open culture within the home. Staff felt supported by the registered manager who was approachable and involved them in the development of the service. The registered manager understood their responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, including submitting notifications of events as required to the commission.
We last inspected the service in May 2016 when we found no concerns and rated the service as good.
Denehurst is a small residential home for up to 11 people with a learning disability and/or mental health conditions. The home is set back in a residential road in New Milton. It has a living/ dining room leading out onto a large decked area and enclosed garden where people help to grow plants and vegetables. At the time of the inspection, nine people were living at Denehurst.
The home had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People were protected from abuse because staff understood how to recognise the signs of abuse and how to report any concerns within the service and to external agencies such as CQC and the Local Authority. An up to date safeguarding policy and whistleblowing policy were in place to provide guidance for staff in keeping people safe.
Staff were effectively deployed to meet people’s needs, which included opportunities for activities outside of the home. Recruitment practices were robust and appropriate checks were carried out to ensure staff were safe to work in an adult social care setting before they started work.
Staff received regular training, supervision and observed practice to support them in their role. Staff supported, able to raise issues and ideas and were involved in the development of the service.
Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and created a friendly, relaxed and homely atmosphere at Denehurst.
People had person centred support plans, which included pictorial versions where appropriate, with photographs of people and the activities they enjoyed. This helped to ensure that people’s wishes, skills and independence were encouraged.
People received support to manage their health needs and referrals to health professionals were made promptly. Staff understood people’s individual risks which had been appropriately identified, and assessments were in place to manage these.
People’s medicines were administered safely by staff who were trained to do so. Medicines were managed, stored and disposed of appropriately.
Staff obtained consent from people before care or support was provided. Where people did not have the capacity to consent, the provider acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People’s mental capacity was assessed when specific decisions needed to be made, and the outcome recorded to confirm whether they had capacity to make the decision. The manager was aware of their responsibilities under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and appropriate applications had been made to the local authority where required.
Systems were in place to monitor and assess the quality and effectiveness of the service such as staff surveys, gaining feedback from people using the service and service audits. Learning took place from any incidents and accidents which were recorded. Regular checks were carried out in relation to health and safety, fire equipment and the environment and procedures were in place to report any defects.
We last inspected the service in January 2014 and found no concerns.
We found that people were asked for their consent before any support was given. If an individual did not have the ability to make a specific decision, then 'best interest' processes were followed. People and their representatives were involved with this process.
People were involved in the assessment and care planning process and, when able to do so, they signed to indicate their understanding and agreement with the care plan. When needed, information was provided in a format that the person could easily understand, such as easy read documents or pictures.
People were able to take appropriate risks and procedures were in place to ensure that people understood any harm they might experience, for example, when crossing the road independently or going to the local shops.
People were supported by a staff team that had been recruited safely, with necessary checks being carried out prior to the staff member starting employment. Staff received appropriate induction training and professional development.
The provider had an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people who use the service and others.
We observed that care workers and people living in the home were relaxed with each other, patient and sensitive. We saw care workers knew the people who lived in the home well and could anticipate their needs as required.
People's diversity, values and human rights were respected.
We found that care plans were detailed, person centred, accurately reflected people's needs and had been drawn up with their involvement where possible.
People were supported by sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff that were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.
The provider had an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people who use the service and others.
People told us that they could make their own decisions about the things that they did and their daily routines. Everyone said that they were happy with the meals and food provided. People told us that if they were unhappy about anything then they would tell a member of staff. Several people commented about the support that they received from their key workers.
Those we spoke with said they were happy with the care that they received and the way it was provided.
Staff felt that they received enough training to enable them to do their job. Staff spoken with told us that there were enough staff on duty at any given time to meet the support needs of the people who live at the home.