Archived: Howbeck Close

Updated 19 January 2019

The inspection

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

Service and service type

Howbeck Close is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. 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

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did

Prior to the inspection visit we gathered information from a number of sources. We also looked at the information received about the service from notifications sent to the Care Quality Commission by the registered manager. We also looked at the provider information return [PIR]. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also spoke with other professionals supporting people at the service, to gain further information about the service.

We met people who used the service and spoke in more detail with two people. We spent time

observing staff interacting with people. We also used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We spoke with five staff including support workers, the deputy manager and the registered manager. We looked at documentation relating to four people who used the service, three staff files and information relating to the management of the service.

Updated 19 January 2019

About the service

Howbeck Close is a 14 bedded care home for people with learning disabilities and complex needs. It consists of two bungalows within their own grounds. It is in the village of Edlington, Doncaster. At the time of our inspection there were 10 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service

People who used the service were safeguarded from the risks of abuse and staff knew what action to take if they suspected abuse. Risks associated with people’s care were identified and staff were aware of risks and knew how to manage them to keep people safe. Staff were available to support people in a timely and person-centred manner. Safe arrangements were in place to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.

Staff received training and support to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to carry out their role effectively. Staff received support both individually and within team meetings. People had access to healthcare professionals as required. 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 in the service supported this practice.

We observed staff interacting with people who used the service and found they were patient, kind, caring and supported people in line with their preferences.

People received personalised care which met their needs and took in to consideration and preferences. People were supported to maintain links with the community and took part in social activities of their choice.

Audits took place to ensure the service was providing support in line with the providers policies and procedures.

Rating at last inspection

Good (Report published 27 July 2016)

Why we inspected

This was a planned comprehensive inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.