Background to this inspection
Updated
10 January 2023
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.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Harding House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
The first day of inspection was unannounced.
We visited the location on 29 September and 1 November 2022.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the service was registered. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
With the support of an interpreter, we spoke with 9 people using the service about their experience of the support provided. We also spoke with the registered manager, operations manager and 4 members of staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 care records and 3 staff files in relation to recruitment. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service and quality monitoring.
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate the evidence found. We also contacted staff and involved health and social care professionals by email to ask their views about the service. We received a response from 1 staff member and 1 health and social care professional.
Updated
10 January 2023
About the service
Harding House is a care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 10 people. At the time of our inspection, there were 9 people using the service. The service supports deaf adults with mental health needs.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe living at Harding House. Staff were trained in how to identify, prevent and report abuse. The service assessed and managed risks to people effectively.
Medicines were managed safely. People received their medicines as prescribed. The home was clean and hygienic, and staff followed best practice guidance to control the risk and spread of infection.
There were enough staff to meet people’s needs in a timely way. Appropriate recruitment procedures were in place and pre-employment checks were completed before staff started working with people.
People’s needs were met by staff who were competent, trained and supported in their job role. 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; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People’s dietary needs were met, and they received appropriate support to eat and drink enough. They were supported to access healthcare services when needed. Staff worked well with other healthcare providers to help ensure continuity of care and supported communication between people and health professionals.
People said they liked living at Harding House. Staff knew people well and built positive relationships with them. Staff used British Sign Language (BSL) to effectively meet people’s communication needs.
Staff protected people’s privacy and dignity. They encouraged people to remain as independent as possible and involved them in planning the care and support they received.
People and professionals who had regular contact with the home felt it was run well. Staff were organised, motivated and worked well as a team. They enjoyed working at the home and told us they felt valued.
There were effective quality assurance systems in place to help ensure the safety and quality of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us in July 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.