What the CQC found at Harboro

Care plans described people's routines, preferences, communication and support needs. Staff were able to explain how each person liked to be supported.

“Clear person centred care plans were in place detailing people's interests, likes, dislikes and the support routines for the day.” from the report

Inspectors saw positive relationships between people and staff. Staff understood how to protect privacy and dignity and how to communicate with people in different ways.

“Our observations showed that people living at Harboro had formed positive relations with the staff team.” from the report

Staff received induction, specialist training and regular competency checks for complex health needs such as epilepsy and suction equipment.

“This meant the service had a robust system in place to check that the staff were competent to meet people's assessed needs effectively.” from the report

Staff were trained and checked as competent to give medicines. Records showed people received medicines as prescribed, including emergency epilepsy medicines when needed outside the home.

“People's medicines were safely managed. Staff had been trained on the safe administration of medicines” from the report

People were supported to take part in activities and holidays. Drivers were available so activities could continue even when staff on duty could not drive.

“The provider had employed drivers which could be pre booked to ensure people were able to access their activities even if the staff on duty did not drive themselves.” from the report

The home used monthly audits, surveys, management checks and action plans to monitor care and identify improvements.

“A robust quality assurance framework was in place.” from the report

The home was reminded to tell the CQC about every safeguarding matter involving people it supported, including matters first raised by another organisation.

“We discussed with the registered manager the need to inform the Care Quality Commission about all safeguardings' concerning people supported by the service, even when they were initially raised by a third party.” from the report

Written speech and language guidance still said that one person's fluids needed thickening, although staff said this was no longer required. Inspectors recommended that the written guidance be updated.

“We recommend that the service asks SALT to update their written guidance to reflect the verbal advice they had been given.” from the report

One person's general care plan and epilepsy plan gave different instructions about when to call an ambulance after a seizure. The manager said this would be corrected.

“We noted that one person's person centred care plan had a discrepancy with the person's epilepsy care plan with regard to how soon an ambulance should be called if a seizure continued.” from the report