Honeysuckle Farm

Updated 31 December 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection team was made up of an inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person with experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Honeysuckle Farm is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

At the time of our inspection visit 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 inspected this service unannounced on 27 October 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since their registration. We sought feedback from the local authority and commissioners. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection

During the inspection

We spoke with four people using the service, three relatives, and a visiting health care professional. We also spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, two senior care workers, a care worker, and the activities co-ordinator.

We reviewed a range of records. This included care and medicines records, and records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 31 December 2022

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

About the service

Honeysuckle Farm is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 15 people. The service specialises in providing support to people with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. The accommodation is on two floors with a passenger lift and stairs for access. At the time of or inspection 15 people were using the service.

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

Right Support

People using the service had a good quality of life. They told us they were happy at the service and enjoyed the many activities provided. Relatives made positive comments about the service including: ‘an outstanding home'; 'a happy atmosphere which evokes a sense of family and respect for others ‘; and 'The home is always clean, smells fresh, and is warm, and safe.' People were pleased to show us their personalised bedrooms and introduce us to their range of pets including a dog and some newly hatched baby ducklings. The service had its own day centre and full-time activities co-ordinator who worked with people to ensure they had lots to do at the service and in the community. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.

Right Care

The registered manager and staff ensured people had excellent access to healthcare services. A relative said, “[People's] needs are met to ensure they can live to their full potential physically, mentally, emotionally. medically and socially.” A visiting healthcare professional said staff knew people’s healthcare needs extremely well and this led to good outcomes regarding their health and wellbeing. Care plans were personalised, and people’s rooms decorated to suit their individual preferences. Staff were caring and dedicated to the people they supported. A relative said, “Staff work exceedingly hard [and] really care about the residents and go out of their way to keep them safe, healthy and happy.”

Right culture

Some improvements were needed to record keeping to ensure the records reflected the good-quality care and support provided. The culture of the service was warm and caring and the registered manager and staff valued the people they supported and knew them well. A staff member said, “When we go shopping the [registered] manager even knows all their [people’s] shoe sizes.” People, relatives, and visiting health and social care professionals made many positive comments about the registered manager and her commitment to the people using the service. A healthcare professional said the registered manager was 'friendly and approachable' and praised their ‘excellent leadership’.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was good (report published on 11 March 2021).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about people’s safety and staffing. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks and to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support right care right culture.

We also looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe and Well-led key questions. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

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.