Highfield Cottage

Updated 20 December 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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Highfield Cottage 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 and professionals who work with the service. We contacted Healthwatch to gather information. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. 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.

During the inspection

We talked to two relatives about their experience of the care provided by the service. We spoke with four staff members including the registered manager, a team leader, a senior support worker and a support worker. We also spoke with the service’s quality assurance and operational managers. The people living at the service were unable to communicate verbally their experiences of the service. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care records and two people’s medication records. We looked at two 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 received information from three professionals who had worked closely with the service.

Updated 20 December 2019

About the service

Highfield Cottage is a residential care home providing personal care for up to two people living with learning disabilities. People are supported in a domestic bungalow with a garden. At the time of our inspection two people were using the service.

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.

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

People well settled living at Highfield Cottage. Relatives told us staff were caring. Staff knew how to protect people from abuse. Risks to people were identified. Staff knew the actions to take to reduce such risks.

Medicine management was generally safe. However, we identified some additional protocols were needed for some ‘as required’ medicines. Recruitment systems reduced the risk of unsuitable candidates being employed.

Staff had the right skills and knowledge to deliver care and support in a person-centred way. They were supported through training, supervision meetings and an annual appraisal.

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 the service supported this practice. The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way. People’s health needs were met. The service worked closely with a range of health professionals.

Staff encouraged people to be as independent as they were able. Care and support was based on people’s individual needs and preferences. They were encouraged to take part in the activities that interested them. Staff encouraged and supported people to be part of their local community.

People and relatives told us the service was well led. They told us communication with the service was good.

We have made a recommendation about review of the service's policies.

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. 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.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 30 June 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.