Hennel Lane

Updated 29 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:

The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Service and service type:

Hennel Lane 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. Hennel Lane accommodates five people in one adapted building.

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:

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because it is small and the registered manager is often out of the office. We needed to be sure they would be in.

What we did:

Before we inspected we reviewed the information we held about the home, including feedback we had received from the local authority and notifications of significant incidents the registered manager had sent to us.

We asked the registered manager to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks for key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used the information in the PIR and the information we already held to plan our inspection visit.

During our inspection we spoke with four people, three staff members, the registered manager and the provider’s area manager. We also observed how staff interacted with people.

We looked at two people’s care records, three staff personnel files, audits and other records related to the management of the service.

Following our inspection, we spoke with one person’s relative and a social care professional by telephone to gather their views.

Updated 29 May 2019

About the service:

Hennel Lane is a residential care home that was providing personal care to five people who have a learning disability.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service:

People who could speak with us told us the staff were nice and said they felt safe in the home. We saw people were relaxed and comfortable with the staff on duty.

The service provided high-quality, person-centred care. The staff placed people at the centre of the service. They treated people in a caring and respectful way. The staff knew how each person communicated and gave people the time and support they needed to express their views and wishes.

People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. There were enough staff on duty to provide people’s care and to support people to take part in a range of activities they enjoyed. The provider carried out robust checks before new staff were employed. The staff had completed training in supporting people with their medicines and providing care safely. The registered manager carried out checks on the premises and equipment used in the home to ensure people were safe living and working there.

Care was planned and provided to meet people’s needs. Appropriate specialist services had been included in assessing people’s needs and planning their care to ensure it was based on best practice. The staff supported people to make healthy eating choices and people were provided with meals and drinks they enjoyed.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems at the service supported this practice. People had opportunities to develop their skills, gain confidence and try new experiences.

People’s privacy, dignity and independence were promoted. The staff spoke to people in a respectful way and knocked on doors to private areas before entering. People were supported to gain greater independence and to carry out tasks for themselves.

People were able to follow a range of activities of their choice. The staff gave people opportunities to try new activities in the home and local community. The provider had a procedure for receiving and responding to complaints. The registered manager acted on any concerns raised to further improve the service provided.

The provider and registered manager asked people who lived at the home, their families and the staff employed for their views of the service. The registered manager used feedback they received to improve the service. The provider had arrangements to ensure the effective management of the service. The registered manager was supported by an area manager. The registered manager and area manager carried out checks on the quality and safety of the service.

Rating at last inspection:

This was the first inspection since the service was registered on 30 April 2018.

Why we inspected:

This was the service’s first planned inspection.

Follow up:

Going forward we will continue to monitor this service and plan to inspect in line with our reinspection schedule for those services rated good. If we receive any concerning information about the service, we may inspect sooner.

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