Archived: Honey Tree Court

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what people using the service, relatives and staff told us, what we observed and the records we looked at.

If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary, please read the full report.

We spoke with four people who used the service. We also spoke with the manager and three other members of staff. We looked at written records, which included copies of people's care records held in the office, staff personnel files and quality assurance documentation.

Is the service safe?

We saw that care plans and risk assessments were informative and up to date. Staff we spoke with were familiar with their contents, which enabled them to deliver appropriate and safe care.

People who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent it from happening.

People were protected by safe and effective recruitment practices.

Is the service effective?

People we spoke with were satisfied with the care and support they received and were complimentary about the care workers. This was consistent with mostly positive feedback reported in the provider's own annual quality assurance survey. People were given information and support to help them understand the care and support available to them.

People were cared for by staff who were properly trained and supported to develop professionally.

Is the service caring?

We spoke with four people who used the service. One person said to us, "I am very happy with the service. I couldn't wish for better. Everyone is really friendly." Another person said, "I've used the service for a long time and I'm very happy with it. They help me with my care, my shopping and my washing. I can call on them any time I like, which makes me feel safe." Another person said, "If I was concerned about anything I'd speak with the manager, who is lovely."

No-one we spoke with raised any concerns with us. We witnessed staff interacting with people. All of the interactions were appropriate, respectful, warm and friendly.

Is the service responsive?

People were consulted about and involved in their own care planning and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. Care plans and risk assessments were regularly reviewed with the people who used the service.

Two people who used the service and three staff members told us that the manager was approachable and they would have no difficulty speaking to them if they had any concerns about the service. The provider took account of complaints and comments to improve the service.

Is the service well led?

Staff said that they felt well supported by the manager and they were able do their jobs safely. The manager had a range of quality monitoring systems in place to ensure that care was being delivered appropriately by staff, that the service was continuously improving and that people were satisfied with the service they were receiving.

People who used the service and their family/representatives told us that they had been involved in deciding what care and support they needed.

Care plans did not provide the necessary detail to support the staff team to provide consistent and personalised care for people.

We spoke with six people who used the service about the care staff. People told us that staff were available if they needed them and that they provided care at the agreed times. People spoke highly of the staff, one person told us, 'The staff are really great.' Another person said, 'I am very pleased with what they do.'

People told us that they were satisfied with the service and could not anticipate ever having to make a complaint. Comments included, "Never had to raise any concerns, I would probably email the manager but quite frankly I can never see that happening they are marvellous." Relatives with whom we spoke who had had cause to raise concerns with the manager were satisfied with the manner in which their concerns had been addressed.

A relative with whom we spoke told us, "Everyone has been polite and respectful to my relative.' Another person told us that they were very pleased with how their relative was being cared for.

We found that staff had access to the relevant information they needed to ensure they could provide people with consistent care and support. The staff team received the training and supervision they needed to be able to support people safely.

There were quality monitoring systems in place ensuring that people who used the service had the opportunity and confidence to raise any matters that concerned them.