Archived: Harper House - Stourbridge

Updated 25 March 2021

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 coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 12 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 25 March 2021

About the service:

Harper House is a residential care home which provides accommodation and personal care for up to five people with a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder.

People’s experience of using this service:

• There was a calm and relaxed atmosphere in the home. People were familiar and comfortable in staff presence and we heard animated conversation and laughter throughout our inspection.

• People had lived at the home a long time and relatives told us they were happy with the care and support their family member received.

• Information about people’s care needs and wishes were detailed in person centred support plans which were regularly reviewed and updated when there had been a change in people’s needs.

• 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 place supported this practice.

• The staff worked closely with other health professionals so people’s health and well-being was maintained.

• There were gaps in environmental risk assessments completed as the fire risk assessment had not been completed in line with required timeframes and by a competent person as dictated by legislation. This was a legitimate oversight and the provider did everything they could to remedy this whilst the inspection was ongoing and got a fire risk assessor to visit the home whilst we were on site.

• All other safety certificates and required risk assessments were in place.

• Systems continued to be maintained to help ensure the safety and protection of people who used the service. This included the safe management and administration of people’s medicines, effective recruitment and training processes.

• The home had consistent management and oversight by a registered manager who was an integral part of the care provided.

• Opportunities were provided for people who used the service, their relatives and staff to feedback their views and experiences. Relatives told us they had no cause to complain but indicated they would have no hesitation in raising a concerns with the registered manager and felt it would be sorted promptly.

• People engaged with the registered manager throughout the inspection and people’s relatives told us the registered manager was well known to them and their family member and they had confidence in their leadership.

• Relatives told us they would recommend the home to others looking for this type of care setting.

Rating at last inspection: Good and the last report was published 29 January 2016. For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating for the home.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor information and intelligence we receive about the home to ensure good quality care continues to be provided. We will return to re-inspect the home in line with our inspection timescales for Good services. However, if we receive any information of concern, we may inspect sooner.