215 Hughenden Road

Updated 7 January 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 care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 9 December 2020 and was unannounced.

Updated 7 January 2021

White Leaf Support provides care and accommodation at 215 Hughenden Road for up to six people with either learning disabilities and or autistic spectrum disorders. At the time of our inspection six people used the service.

The inspection took place on 1st and 2nd of August 2018. The inspection was unannounced on the first day. At our last inspection, the provider was in breach of Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Medicines were not managed effectively to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed. The provider was also in breach of Regulation 13 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Systems were not in place to investigate immediately upon becoming aware of potential abuse.

Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve the key questions in safe, effective and well-led to at least good.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was now meeting these Regulations.

White Leaf Support is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. White Leaf Support accommodates six people in one adapted building.

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.

The provider is required to have a registered manager as part of their conditions of registration. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. At the time of our inspection a registered manager was in post.

Relatives commented they had seen improvements in the service. One family member said, “Staff go above and beyond their duty.”

Systems were in place to assess and monitor the quality and safety of the service. We saw medicines were managed effectively.

Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to reporting accidents and incidents. Staff attended safeguarding training and knew how to report any concerns.

Recruitment procedures were robust to ensure only suitable staff were appointed. We saw there were sufficient staff available to meet people’s needs. Induction and development programmes were in place to ensure staff gained relevant knowledge and skills.

The service was compliant with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and associated codes of practice. 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 to eat and drink to meet their needs and to make informed choices about what they ate and drank.

Social activities were available for people to take part in, to avoid social isolation. We saw people were engaged in community events on both days of our inspection.

Regular on-going health checks were carried out and people were supported to attend appointments. People were referred to health professionals when required.

Concerns and complaints were used as a way of improving the service. Staff told us they felt supported and could question practice if the need arose.

The service carried out repairs and maintenance of the building to ensure the safety of people and staff.

Robust monitoring systems were in place to ensure people received appropriate care and support.