Hawthorn Bungalow

Updated 18 March 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 24 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 18 March 2021

About the service

Hawthorn Bungalow is a residential care home that was providing accommodation and personal care to 10 people with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder, a physical disability and younger adults. At the time of inspection eight people were living there.

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.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 10 people. Eight people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area.

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

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.

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.

People received safe care and there were enough staff to provide support to people to meet their needs. Staff had been suitably recruited to ensure they could work with people who used the service. People were protected from the risk of harm and received their prescribed medicines safely.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the service and spoke highly of the support and encouragement provided by the registered manager. People who used the service were supported in a safe way by kind well trained staff who knew people well.

Risk assessments and care plans were reviewed at regular intervals to ensure these were reflective of people's needs.

People were provided with the appropriate care and support at the end of their life. We have made a recommendation about recording people’s preferences and wishes for their end of life care.

The service had good quality assurance arrangements in place and completed internal quality checks and audits. Findings from these were regularly reviewed by the registered manager and provider. The management team continued to drive improvement within the service to ensure people received consistent standards of care and support

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 10 January 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.