We carried out a review of the data available to us about Halas Homes on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Halas Homes, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
The registered manager explained how activities had continued during the pandemic as the service had put safety measures in place. This was positive for the wellbeing of people receiving the service.
The registered manager had a good understanding of the principles of cohorting and zoning and demonstrated how they was implemented during the outbreak.
The provider maintained good levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) and staff were observed wearing PPE correctly.
The provider is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 37 people. The service supported adults who might have autism or a learning disability. Some people had additional sensory or physical impairments. Most people lived in the main house with four people living more independently in a separate house staffed by the same staff team. There was an on-site facility ‘The Meeting Place’ where people undertook a variety of social and recreational activities. On the day of our inspection 29 people lived at the home.
At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this announced inspection on 16 August 2018 we found the service remained Good in Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led. The service had progressed to Outstanding in Responsive giving it an overall rating of Good.
This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
We found that Halas Homes reflected the values that underpin Registering the Right Support. By this we mean the provider had developed their service to ensure people with learning disabilities and autism are supported to live as ordinary a life as any other person. They are provided with choice and there is promotion of people’s independence and a focus on inclusion.
People received a service that was focused on their individual needs and preferences. They had new and exciting opportunities to enhance their social and recreational experiences and celebrate their abilities. The service had a key role in the local community and had actively built links with local schools, colleges; local people and the wider community so that people were supported to live as full a life as possible. People had access to a complaints procedure and were confident their complaints would be addressed.
There was a registered manager in post and she was present during our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People felt safe and staff knew how to recognise and report abuse. People were supported to take part in everyday living tasks and to do the things that they enjoyed. The risks associated with these activities were well managed so that people could undertake these safely and without any restrictions. Consistent staffing levels ensured people had the support they needed. Staff were motivated, trained and knowledgeable about the needs of people. Recruitment processes remained safe with checks in place to ensure staff suitability. In addition, people were involved in selecting staff of the right character to provide their care and support. People had support to take their medicines safely. Staff followed infection control guidance and maintained a clean and hygienic living environment for people. There were processes in place to learn lessons and improve people's experiences when things went wrong.
People were fully involved in identifying their needs. Staff continued to receive regular and relevant training and support to enhance their skills and knowledge. People were supported with their meals and took an active part in shopping, cooking and preparing meals. Effective monitoring was in place for those people who needed support to eat and drink enough. People had support to maintain their health and staff were proactive in supporting them to access healthcare services. 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.
People were supported by staff who were caring and attentive. Staff promoted people's preferred communication methods to ensure their individual choices were fully respected. Staff had a thorough understanding of promoting and respecting people's privacy, dignity and independence and their practice reflected the principles of good care.
The provider had a clear management structure and had actively looked at ways to benefit the lives of people living at the home. There was a focus on continuous improvement which was reflected in their development of and commitment to increased opportunities for people. The provider worked in partnership with several other agencies to ensure people received the right support. Staff felt supported and valued in their work. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the care provided and to ensure people received quality care.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
The provider is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 37 people. The majority of people lived in the main house with four people accommodated in a supported living house staffed by the same staff team. People lived with a learning disability or autism and some people had additional sensory or physical impairments. On the day of our inspection 32 people lived at the home.
At our last inspection in February 2014 the provider was meeting all the regulations we assessed.
There was a registered manager in post and she was present during our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People felt safe using the service and risks to their safety had been identified. Staff knew how to support people safely and had training in how to recognise and report abuse.
People were supported to take part in everyday living tasks and to do the things that they enjoyed. The risks associated with these activities were well managed so that people could undertake these safely and without any restrictions.
People had their medicines when they needed them and staff were trained to do this safely.
The staffing arrangements were flexible and ensured that people had the support they needed to meet their needs and pursue their interests. Staff were highly motivated and had received appropriate training and support and were knowledgeable about the needs of people.
People were asked for their consent before care was delivered. Where people were unable to consent to their care because they did not have the mental capacity to do this, decisions were made in their best interests.
People were supported to remain healthy and well. They told us they liked the meals provided and they had been involved in devising menus.
Staff had developed friendly relationships with people and were attentive and caring towards them. Staff used people's preferred communication methods to ensure their individual choices were fully respected. People’s dignity and privacy were respected and their independence promoted.
People had been supported to develop their care plans which were specific and personal to them and presented in a suitable format for them to understand. Staff supported people to follow their own chosen routines and interests and to express their views on the care provided.
People had access to a complaints procedure and were confident their complaints would be addressed. People had named family or representatives to advocate for them and represent their views.
Regular checks had been undertaken to maintain the quality of the service. The registered manager had actively looked at ways to benefit the lives of people living at the home. They had organised staffing to accommodate people’s lifestyles and choices. Staff had the support and training to be able to provide a service that was based on promoting people’s quality of life.
People we spoke with told us they liked living at this home. One person said, 'I am happy here'. The relatives we spoke with told us they were happy with the care and support provided to their relative. One relative said, 'I am very happy with the care my relative receives. I don't think I could find anywhere better for her'.
We found that systems were in place to ensure people's consent was always obtained before any support was provided to them.
We saw that people's needs were assessed, and support plans were developed in consultation with people or their representatives. Staff we spoke with were able to tell us about people's needs. This ensured people received support in a way they preferred and in their best interests.
People received sufficient food and drink that met their needs and preferences.
The recruitment procedures that were followed ensured that only suitable staff were employed to work in the home.
There was a complaints procedure in place to enable people to share their concerns.
People told us that staff respected their privacy and dignity and they confirmed they were given choices about their care, how they spent their day and about what food they wanted to eat. One person told us, 'I am happy with the level of care I receive staff treat me with respect and always observe my dignity'.
We saw that people's needs were assessed, and support plans were developed in consultation with people and their representatives. One person told us, 'My care plan is discussed regularly and my opinions are listened to'.
The relative spoken with told us they were involved in any reviews that are undertaken. The relative told us, 'I am very happy; the staff are good and provide good care'.
Staff supported people to meet their healthcare needs to ensure their well being. We observed that staff provided support which was both respectful and compassionate.
People had their medicines when they needed, to ensure their health needs were met and these were stored safely.
Staff spoken with told us they felt supported by the manager, and have regular training opportunities. This ensures staff are able to deliver care to an appropriate standard.
We found that there were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service provided.
"The staff are fine."
"I can talk to the staff but sometimes they are busy."
We saw good interactions between staff and the people living there. Staff were caring and took time to speak to people.
People can chose how they spend their day. Some people attend the day centre that is located in the grounds of the home. Other people chose to stay at home and do in house activities or go out with staff in the local community.
We could not be confident that people's healthcare needs were being well met.
Staff have had training on protecting people from the risk of harm and what they should do if they had concerns about people's wellbeing.
Staff have had training on the specific needs of the people living there so they have a good understanding of what their individual needs are.