Newland Hurst

Updated 1 February 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 20 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 1 February 2022

About the service

Newland Hurst is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 16 people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. People’s care and accommodation is provided within a Victorian house, situated in extensive grounds, which has been extended to include modern facilities. At the time of our inspection, there were 15 people living at the home.

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.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 16 people. 15 people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by, amongst other things, the building layout and design, and the dress code of staff which did not identify them as care staff.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Staff understood how to identify and report potential abuse involving the people who lived at the home. The risks to people had been assessed and plans developed to manage these. The provider monitored and adjusted staffing levels at the service, to ensure people’s needs could be safely met. People had the support needed to take their medicines safely and as prescribed. Staff were supplied with, and made use of, personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Accidents and incidents involving people were reported by staff and monitored by management to ensure learning from these.

People’s individual care needs were assessed before they moved into the home and reviewed with them on an annual basis. Staff received ongoing training to ensure they had the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively. Staff and management helped people to attend routine health appointments and check-ups and to seek professional medical advice if they were unwell. People had the support they needed from staff to maintain a balanced diet. Staff understood and promoted people’s right to make day-to-day decisions.

People were supported by staff who knew them well and were kind and compassionate. People had support to express their views about the care provided. Staff treated people with dignity and respect at all times and actively promoted their independence.

People’s care plans were individual to them and included information about what was most important to them. People had support to participate in a range of social and recreational activities, both in-house and within their local community. People and their relatives knew how to raise any concerns or complaints with the provider, and felt comfortable doing so. Steps were taken to identify people’s wishes regarding their end-of-life care in order that these could be addressed at the appropriate point.

The management team promoted a positive, inclusive and person-centred culture within the service, based upon open communication with people and their relatives. Most staff felt well-supported and valued by the registered manager. People’s communication needs were assessed in order to promote effective communication with each individual. The provider carried out quality assurance activities designed to enable them to monitor and improve the quality of people’s care. The registered manager had identified that two people's care plans were not up to date and was reviewing and updating these. The registered manager took steps to keep themselves up to date with current legislation and best practice guidelines. Links between the service and the local community were maintained and developed to benefit the people living at the home.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (report published 11 May 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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