Archived: Hollybank

Updated 22 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 inspection took place on the 1 and 2 November and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because it is small and people are often out doing activities. We needed to be sure that the manager would be in.

The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector. During the inspection people were not able to speak with us, however we were able to observe interactions between staff and people using the service. Following the inspection we spoke with one person’s family member and a health professional who gave feedback on the service. We tried to contact two other people’s family members without success. During the inspection we spoke with two members of staff and the manager. We reviewed the care records for two people using the service and the recruitment records for three members of staff. We made observations on the interior and exterior of the premises.

Updated 22 December 2018

Hollybank is a care home that provides support for up to 4 people living with learning disabilities. The service is set out as a domestic type setting, with each person having their own room and shared communal areas. People have access to a well maintained garden to the rear of the premises. The care service has 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.

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.

Audit systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service being provided. We spoke with one person's relative who gave very positive feedback about the service, and one health professional who also gave good feedback. However, we have made a recommendation regarding the consistent completion of audits as these had not always been done in a timely manner. This had not impacted on the running of the service or people's wellbeing.

People were protected from the risk of abuse. Staff had received training in safeguarding vulnerable people and low level concerns had been reported to the local authority.

Recruitment practices were safe and people which helped protect people from the risk of abuse.

Staffing levels were sufficient to meet the needs of people using the service.

Training was in place for staff to ensure they had the correct skills in place to meet people's needs.

People were supported to have a nutritious diet, and where appropriate special diets were prepared in line with people's needs.

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 were kind and caring towards people and positive relationships had been developed.

Care records clearly outlined people's needs and provided instruction around how staff needed to support people.

Activities were available for people which helped protected them from the risk of social isolation.