We carried out a review of the data available to us about Heywood Sumner House 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 Heywood Sumner House, you can give feedback on this service.
Heywood Sumner House is a residential care home providing personal care to people with learning disabilities and/or autism. The service can support up to 12 people. At the time of the inspection 12 people were living at the home.
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 at Heywood Sumner House were living with a learning disability or autism, which affected their ability to make decisions about their care and support. Where people were not able to give consent, the service delivered care in the person’s best interest. However, mental capacity assessments and best interest paperwork was not always in place for people. This was discussed with the registered manager who addressed this and showed us improvements following the inspection.
People told us they were happy and felt safe. Relatives said staff had a good understanding of their loved one’s needs and preferences. Risks had been identified and measures put in place to keep people safe from harm. Medicines were managed safely and administered by trained staff.
Staff were well trained and skilled. They worked with people to overcome challenges and promote their independence. The emphasis of support was towards inclusion and enabling people to learn essential life skills. Equality, Diversity and Human Rights were promoted and understood by staff.
People, and their families described the staff as caring, kind and friendly and the atmosphere of the home as relaxed and engaging.
People received pre-admission assessments and effective person-centred support. The service was responsive to people’s current and changing needs. Regular reviews took place which ensured people were at the centre of their support.
Care plans were personalised and updated. Staff listened to what people wanted and acted quickly to support them. Staff looked to offer people solutions to aid their independence and develop their skills.
Leadership was visible and promoted good teamwork. People, relatives, and staff spoke highly about the management and staff had a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
Checks of safety and quality were made to ensure people were protected. Work to continuously improve the service was noted and the management team were keen to make changes that would impact positively on people's lives.
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 25 May 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.
The inspection was unannounced and was carried out on 26 April 2017 by one inspector.
There was a registered manager in place at the home. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the home. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the home is run.
People and staff told us they felt the home was safe. Staff had received safeguarding training and explained the action they would take to report any concerns.
Individual and environmental risks relating to people’s health and welfare had been identified and assessed to reduce those risks. Plans were in place to manage emergencies including alternative accommodation should the home need to be evacuated. Regular safety checks were carried out on the environment and equipment.
Systems were in place for the storage and administration of medicines, including controlled drugs. Staff were trained and their competency assessed to ensure they remained safe to administer medicines.
There were safe recruitment procedures in place and sufficient staff were deployed to meet people’s needs.
Quality assurance systems and audits were in place to drive improvements. Incidents and accidents were recorded and actions taken and any learning analysed to reduce the risks of it happening again.
People were supported to have enough to eat and drink and their specific dietary needs were met.
People were supported to maintain their health and well-being and had access to healthcare services when they needed them.
People’s rights were protected because staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and ensured decisions were made in their best interests. The registered manager understood Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and had submitted requests for authorisation when required.
People were supported by staff who had received appropriate induction, training, professional development and supervision.
Staff were kind and caring, treated people with dignity and respect and ensured their privacy was maintained. People had access to a wide choice of activities, both at home and in the community.
Initial assessments and transition plans were in place before people moved into the home to ensure their needs could be met. People, their relatives or other representatives were involved in decisions about their care planning.
Easy read complaints procedures were available and people knew who to speak to if they had a concern. People and relatives were encouraged to give their views about the service.
Staff felt supported by the registered manager who provided clear leadership and guidance. Staff felt listened to and involved in the development of the service.