Hazeldene

Updated 19 November 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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The service was inspected by one inspector. The site visit was on 11 October 2019 with a review of follow up information being completed by 16 October 2019.

Service and service type

Hazeldene 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.

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

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority, safeguarding team and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the assistant regional director, deputy manager and care staff. We observed interaction throughout the day.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at six staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records as well as compliments received. We spoke with three professionals who have association with the service and received feedback from five staff and some relatives.

Updated 19 November 2019

About the service

Hazeldene is a residential care home providing personal care to 10 people with a diagnosis of learning disabilities and associated health needs at the time of the inspection. The service can support a maximum of 10 people. It offers bedrooms and communal space over two buildings. One building is home to four people whose bedrooms are split over two floors. Two of the bedrooms are en-suite whilst the other two bedrooms share a bathroom. A communal lounge, open plan dining room and kitchen, and laundry room offer facilities to people in one of the buildings. The other building offers additional communal space with a day room, quiet room, separate dining room, lounge, laundry and communal bathrooms / kitchen catering to six people living across two floors. Each building offers a large garden that people are encouraged to utilise.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

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 designed so to ensure there were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

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

People were supported by a team of staff who were dedicated to meet their needs. The service had a number of audit tools in place to measure the effectiveness and safety of the service. We found that whilst most audits were completed, the registered manager had not always reviewed these. As a result some reviews had been missed. These did not put people at risk, nevertheless illustrated that the registered manager did not always have a full overview of the service. The provider developed systems following the inspection to overcome these shortfalls.

People were supported to receive safe care and treatment from a dedicated staff team. Risks were appropriately recorded and assessed highlighting when the risk was most likely to occur, and what action to take to prevent the risk from occurring. Details were also written on what action to take should the risk occur. These were reviewed regularly. Staff received training and had a thorough understanding of their duty of care to keep people safe from risk of harm and abuse. The Commission received reportable notifications in line with requirements.

We found that medicines were administered safely. Staff medication training and competencies were up to date. Required learning was identified from accidents and near misses, with a trigger analysis being completed as required by the provider.

People were involved in all aspects of their care, as far as possible. Staff were trained and supported to ensure they had the necessary knowledge and skills to safely and effectively deliver care. The service proactively worked in partnership with external agencies, utilising their knowledge and skill to further develop staff expertise, and determine correct support for people.

People enjoyed a positive relationship with staff which was built on trust, dignity and mutual respect. People were encouraged to maintain their independence and celebrate their uniqueness. People were supported to maximise their dreams and supported to live their life the way they wished. Activities were designed around people’s preferences and promoted integration in the community.

People were supported in the least restrictive way possible. Staff ensured people were given maximum choice and control of their lives and where decisions had to be made these were in their best interest. The provider’s policies and procedures supported this practice.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. Care plans were reflective of this and key worker sessions clearly documented the drive to achieve choice and independence for all people using the service.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (report published on 15 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.

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