Hawthorn House

Updated 14 December 2018

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 21 November 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector and an expert-by-experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Whilst planning the inspection we used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also looked at the information we held about the service and the provider, including notifications the provider is required to send us by law about significant events at the home. We reviewed this information when we planned the inspection.

We spoke with three people who used the service and three relatives. We observed care and support provided in communal areas to understand people’s experience. We also spoke with five members of the care staff, a visiting health and safety manager for the provider and the registered manager.

We looked at three care plans to ensure they were a true reflection of the care and support people received. We also looked at records relating to the management of the home including audits, maintenance logs and a staff recruitment file to ensure there were processes in place to protect people from harm.

Updated 14 December 2018

Hawthorn House is a residential care home for up to 29 people with a learning disability. Care is provided from two separate two storey buildings. On the day of our inspection 18 people were living in the home. The care service had not originally been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. However, it was clear that people were given choices and their independence and participation within the local community was being encouraged.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

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At this unannounced inspection on 21 November 2018 we found the service remained Good.

People were cared for by a sufficient number of staff who were suitably checked prior to commencing work. Staff understood people’s risks and how to protect them from harm and poor care. People received their prescribed medicines from staff who had been trained and whose competency to deliver medicines safely was observed. Staff followed infection control practices to protect people.

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. Staff received training and support to provide care effectively. People were provided with a variety of foods, presented in a way that met their needs and plentiful drinks to maintain their wellbeing. People were supported by health care professionals to sustain their health.

Staff provided kind, considerate and compassionate care which recognised people’s right to privacy, upheld their dignity and promoted their independence. People were supported to maintain the relationships which were important to them.

Care plans provided an accurate reflection of people’s care which was reviewed, with their relatives if preferred, on a regular basis. There were activities arranged for people to take part in whilst they were at home, day trips for them to enjoy and support for people with specific interests.

There were arrangements in place to communicate with staff and relatives with opportunities for them to feedback their opinions. There was an audit process in place to measure the quality of the service provided. The registered manager was complying with the requirements of their role.

Further information is in the detailed findings below