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Inspection on 06/10/08 for Homefield College
Also see our care home review for Homefield College for more information
This inspection was carried out on 6th October 2008.
CSCI found this care home to be providing an Good service.
The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.
What follows are excerpts from this inspection report. For more information read the full report on the next tab.
Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 19/06/2009.
Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report
Care homes for adults (18-65 years)
Name: Address: Homefield College 42 St Mary`s Road Sileby Loughborough Leicestershire LE12 7TL The quality rating for this care home is: two star good service A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. Lead inspector: Keith Williamson Date: 0 6 1 0 2 0 0 8 This is a report of an inspection where we looked at how well this care home is meeting the needs of people who use it. There is a summary of what we think this service does well, what they have improved on and, where it applies, what they need to do better. We use the national minimum standards to describe the outcomes that people should experience. National minimum standards are written by the Department of Health for each type of care service. After the summary there is more detail about our findings. The following table explains what you will see under each outcome area
Outcome area (for example: Choice of home) These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: This box tells you the outcomes that we will always inspect against when we do a key inspection. This box tells you any additional outcomes that we may inspect against when we do a key inspection. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: This box tells you our opinion of what we have looked at in this outcome area. We will say whether it is excellent, good, adequate or poor. Evidence: This box describes the information we used to come to our judgement Copies of the National Minimum Standards – Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or bought from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to: ï· Put the people who use social care first ï· Improve services and stamp out bad practice ï· Be an expert voice on social care ï· Practise what we preach in our own organisation Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Reader Information
Document Purpose Author Inspection report CSCI
Page 2 of 28 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Audience Further copies from Copyright General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2008) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. www.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 28 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Homefield College 42 St Mary`s Road Sileby Loughborough Leicestershire LE12 7TL 01509814827 01509815696 mandy.potts@homefieldcollege.ac.uk Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Homefield College Limited Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs Julie Elizabeth Merron Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 17 0 care home 17 learning disability Additional conditions: No one under the age of 16 years may be accommodated in the home. Date of last inspection Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 28 A bit about the care home Homefield College is a specialist college providing residential accommodation to 17 young people (generally aged 16-25 years) with learning disabilities and those who have autistic spectrum disorders. Many of the young people accommodated have communication difficulties and some challenging behaviours. The college additionally has twelve students who attend on a daily basis. Accommodation is provided on two floors and is divided into a flat with three single bedrooms, bathroom, lounge and kitchen; a bungalow with four single bedrooms, bathroom, lounge and kitchen; a maisonette with two single bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen and the main landing area, which has eight single bedrooms. A range of shared areas on the ground floor of the college serve those students accommodated on the main landing and are accessible to all students. Teachers, support care staff and vocational specialists support students. The Learning Skills Council has placed young people at the college. These placements are generally term time only and limited to 2 or 3 years. However, some young people receive continued or additional funding from Social Services departments and their placements can be for up to fifty-two weeks a year and may progress to become long term. The college also owns seven houses locally, which accommodate young people. Prospective students are given a booklet regarding the college and inspection reports are readily available from the main college office. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 28 Summary
This is an overview of what we found during the inspection. The quality rating for this care home is: Our judgement for each outcome: two star good service Choice of home Individual needs and choices Lifestyle Personal and healthcare support Concerns, complaints and protection Environment Staffing Conduct and management of the home Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 28 How we did our inspection: This is what the inspector did when they were at the care home The focus of our inspections is on outcomes for service users and their views of the service provided. The main method of Inspection used was case tracking which involves selecting a sample number of service users and tracking the care they received through talking with them where possible, and looking at their care records and accommodation, in this case three service users were chosen. None of the case tracked Service Users made comment on the home or staff. There were nine comment cards received back prior to visiting the service. Most were completed on a yes / no basis and did not include any comments on the service, and therefore have not been included in this report. What the care home does well The staff provide a thorough assessment process which includes an introduction to life in the home. The care plans risk assessments and other associated paperwork is well detailed and thoroughly
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 28 researched. This provides a consistency of information to staff to enable care to be offered to a high degree to service users. Most of the paperwork is user friendly, and is produced in an easy read format. The numbers of staff employed to care for service users are agreed before the persons stay commences. This allows service users to have the confidence that their weekly timetable, which covers their education, social, and personal care, to be delivered by staff on a consistent basis. Service Users are protected by a recruitment procedure that is thorough and well thought through, office staff ensuring that the process is followed and all checks are in place prior to staff commencing their duties. Staff employed in the home have a number of checks prior to, and training following employment in the home. Meetings regularly take place between the manager and staff on a one to one and group basis, and staff are employed in numbers to assist Service Users in line with their care plan. This all helps to assist with Service User safety in the home. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 28 The health and safety of Service Users is further promoted by the tests that staff and other outside bodies regularly undertake on areas such as fire , electrical and gas testing. What has got better from the last inspection The safeguarding policies and procedures have been reviewed. These were mentioned in the last report of the service. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 9 of 28 What the care home could do better If you want to read the full report of our inspection please ask the person in charge of the care home If you want to speak to the inspector
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 28 please contact Keith Williamson Commission for Social Care Inspection Capital Park Fulbourn Cambridge CB21 5XE 01223 771 300 If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 4. The report of this inspection is available from our website www.csci.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning our order line - 0870 240 7535 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 28 Details of our findings
Contents Choice of home (standards 1 - 5) Individual needs and choices (standards 6-10) Lifestyle (standards 11 - 17) Personal and healthcare support (standards 18 - 21) Concerns, complaints and protection (standards 22 - 23) Environment (standards 24 - 30) Staffing (standards 31 - 36) Conduct and management of the home (standards 37 - 43) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 12 of 28 Choice of home
These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People are confident that the care home can support them. This is because there is an accurate assessment of their needs that they, or people close to them, have been involved in. This tells the home all about them, what they hope for and want to achieve, and the support they need. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, and people close to them, can visit the home and get full, clear, accurate and up to date information. If they decide to stay in the home they know about their rights and responsibilities because there is an easy to understand contract or statement of terms and conditions between the person and the care home that includes how much they will pay and what the home provides for the money. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service
. Comprehensive assessment procedures ensure that Service Users needs and aspirations can be met. Evidence: Three Service Users assessments were examined. These were exceptionally detailed and contained information relating to all aspects of their needs and plans for the future. It was clear that the assessment process spanned two and sometimes three days, to enable staff to see the person in a more natural state of mind and give more detail to the plan. This is important as the Service Users plans will form part of any social care or plan for any future occupation. Details of regular re-assessments were also in place together with assessment documents from the Service Users placing authorities. Discussion with staff members and observation of the Service Users indicated that the assessments Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 13 of 28 Individual needs and choices
These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People’s needs and goals are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. People are able to make decisions about their life, including their finances, with support if they need it. This is because the staff promote their rights and choices. People are supported to take risks to enable them to stay independent. This is because the staff have appropriate information on which to base decisions. People are asked about, and are involved in, all aspects of life in the home. This is because the manager and staff offer them opportunities to participate in the day to day running of the home and enable them to influence key decisions. People are confident that the home handles information about them appropriately. This is because the home has clear policies and procedures that staff follow. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service
. Service Users are involved in day to day decisions, are well supported to take reasonable risks and excellent support plans accurately reflect their needs Evidence: Three Service Users support plans were examined. These like their assessments were well detailed and covered all aspects of daily life. Staff responsibilities for meeting the plan were clearly identified and there was evidence that the information was regularly reviewed. The Service Users also have an illustrated questionnaire that covers a variety of areas. This covered visits to various places and ascertained individual choices on catering, vocation work groups and covered a day evening and weekend basis. There is also a likes and dislikes part within the questionnaire. These areas are important as they create the basis for the persons continuing education self help and independence for the future. Risk assessments are routinely completed before any activities are undertaken. Staff displayed a good understanding as to why this was necessary. Staff complete daily notes covering all activities and the Service Users responses to them.
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 14 of 28 Evidence: Staff support the Service Users to make decisions about their daily life particularly in relation to their activities. The Service Users also receive support to manage their finances and detailed records are kept of all transactions. This is important from the point of empowering Service Users independence. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 15 of 28 Lifestyle
These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: Each person is treated as an individual and the care home is responsive to his or her race, culture, religion, age, disability, gender and sexual orientation. They can take part in activities that are appropriate to their age and culture and are part of their local community. The care home supports people to follow personal interests and activities. People are able to keep in touch with family, friends and representatives and the home supports them to have appropriate personal, family and sexual relationships. People are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. Their dignity and rights are respected in their daily life. People have healthy, well-presented meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. People have opportunities to develop their social, emotional, communication and independent living skills. This is because the staff support their personal development. People choose and participate in suitable leisure activities. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service
. The Responsible Individual and staff understand the importance of enabling younger adults to achieve their goals, follow their interests, and be integrated into community life and leisure activities in a way that is directed by the person using the service. Evidence: High staffing numbers allow Service Users to engage in a programme of activities designed to meet their individual social and occupational needs. This is important as the staffing numbers are critical in the delivery of the levels of staff assistance and therefore care offered. Service Users also benefit from social contact through the coffee shop and evening youth club which is run by the college in a nearby church hall. There is also evidence of trips out one recently being to a local swimming gala, where a trophy was won by one of the Service Users. A comprehensive list of risk assessments are in place covering all aspects of accessing the community for instance walking to the shop, crossing the road and riding in the car.
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 16 of 28 Evidence: A report is made of each activity attended and these are reviewed by senior staff to ensure that the level of activity is maintained. Service Users are supported in maintaining regular contact with their family. Most of the Service Users return home to their families at the end of term breaks. Menus are planned in advance and a full record of the Service Users diet is kept; this showed that a good variety of food was offered. Funding is also available to enable Service Users to purchase their own ingredients and cook meals and snacks. This is important as it encourages independence within the Service User group. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 17 of 28 Personal and healthcare support
These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People receive personal support from staff in the way they prefer and want. Their physical and emotional health needs are met because the home has procedures in place that staff follow. If people take medicine, they manage it themselves if they can. If they cannot manage their medicine, the care home supports them with it in a safe way. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them to feel comfortable and secure. They, and people close to them, are reassured that their death will be handled with sensitivity, dignity and respect, and take account of their spiritual and cultural wishes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service
. Service users personal care and health needs are well met and medication is appropriately managed and administered. Evidence: Service Users personal care support needs are clearly detailed in their support plan; information includes details of when Service Users like to get up and go to bed, and any support they need with personal care. Service Users also have behaviour, communication and health care needs plan. Service Users have regular access to dental and optical services and are supported to attend General Practitioner and other important appointments. Regular access to specialist health care such as consultant psychiatrists, psychologists and speech and language therapy was also evident. This is important as this carries on any health care needs whist students are living at the college. Medication is well managed and stored appropriately. All staff administering medication have received training and staff are clear when they are responsible for this aspect of care. Clear protocols are in place relating to the administration of as required medicines and for people wishing to self medicate. There are some areas of information that require to be clarified, around the doses of as required medication, and that of
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 18 of 28 Evidence: medication sent up from the chemist in its original packing. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 19 of 28 Concerns, complaints and protection
These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: If people have concerns with their care, they or people close to them, know how to complain. Their concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse, neglect and self-harm and takes action to follow up any allegations. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service
. Service users are effectively protected by the colleges procedures and practice relating to complaints, protection issues and medication practice. Evidence: Service Users wishing to make a complaint can do so, as a procedure is in place. A copy of this is included in the student handbook as well as people having their own copy. The complaints paperwork has been amended to include photographic prompts, which should help some people to make a complaint. There have been no complaints received by the Commission for Social Care Inspection since the last visit. Any complaints made previously to this, have been recorded and managed appropriately. Care staff have had training in safeguarding; the staff on duty at the time were knowledgeable of the policy and procedure. The policies and procedures on safeguarding have recently been amended. There have been no safeguarding issues forwarded to the Commission for Social Care Inspection, any recorded by the staff, have been dealt with appropriately. Service Users finances are held securely by the office staff, these were up to date and had receipts for any purchases made. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 20 of 28 Environment
These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People stay in a safe and well-maintained home that is homely, clean, comfortable, pleasant and hygienic. People stay in a home that has enough space and facilities for them to lead the life they choose and to meet their needs. The home makes sure they have the right specialist equipment that encourages and promotes their independence. Their room feels like their own, it is comfortable and they feel safe when they use it. People have enough privacy when using toilets and bathrooms. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service
. Service Users live in a clean and comfortable environment, which meets their needs well. Evidence: Communal areas of the home were viewed and these were clean, well decorated and furnished. The home is made up of three parts, the main home that houses the communal rooms such as the lounge and dining room along with eight bedrooms. The other parts of the home are the bungalow and flat they make up the remaining accommodation. The home has an ongoing plan of maintenance and this usually takes place when people have gone home for the end of term breaks. Staff records show that staff have received training in infection control. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 21 of 28 Staffing
These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have safe and appropriate support as there are enough competent, qualified staff on duty at all times. They have confidence in the staff at the home because checks have been done to make sure that they are suitable. People’s needs are met and they are supported because staff get the right training, supervision and support they need from their managers. People are supported by an effective staff team who understand and do what is expected of them. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service
. Service Users are supported and protected by well-trained staff and effective recruitment practices. Evidence: The staffing rota showed that staff are employed in numbers to assist Service Users in line with their support plan. The hours worked by staff are flexible to enable Service Users to engage in educational as well as recreational and leisure activities. Staff are responsible for supporting Service Users with self care tasks, the cooking of meals, cleaning of the home and the washing and ironing, though some of these tasks are planned at night when Service Users are in bed. Staff employed at the home have the appropriate pre-employment checks performed before starting employment. This is important to ensure Service Users are safe in the home. Staff training commences with new staff being placed on a period of induction to enable them to get to know the home and Service Users. This process has recently included night staff working on days to get to know the Service Users who they may not often see at night. This is important and shows the management team developing the role of staff in the home.
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 22 of 28 Evidence: Staff training is also offered following individual needs highlighted at Service User reviews, staff appraisal or supervision meetings. Staff supervision is one to one meetings between staff and the manager and take place on a regular basis. Staff meetings also take place on a regular basis; they are minuted and share vital information between management and staff. This process is also assisted by information sent to individual staff in e-mail form. Staff spoke very positively about the training opportunities and the ongoing, individual support that they receive. All senior staff undertake the National Vocational Qualification to level three. This is a nationally recognised care qualification and shows the commitment by management to well qualified staff working in the home. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 23 of 28 Conduct and management of the home
These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have confidence in the care home because it is run and managed appropriately. People’s opinions are central to how the home develops and reviews their practice, as the home has appropriate ways of making sure they continue to get things right. The environment is safe for people and staff because health and safety practices are carried out. People get the right support from the care home because the manager runs it appropriately, with an open approach that makes them feel valued and respected. They are safeguarded because the home follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and makes sure staff understand the way things should be done. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service
. Well developed management systems ensure that residents health and safety is promoted and that their views inform the running of the service. Evidence: The registered manager has many years care experience with the current Service User group and is about to complete the registered managers award. This is also a nationally recognised care qualification, and shows an ongoing commitment to lifetime learning by the manager of the home. The registered individual has now delegated his regular visits to the home to another member of staff. This person now oversees the development of the homes manager and staff group. A report is made on any progress or improvements needed at the home. This process assists in the overall improvement and quality assurance of the home and staff group, and is an important measure of how well the home is progressing. Policies and procedures are issued by the Head Office, some being reviewed on a regular basis. The policy and procedure relating to the safe self-administering of
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 24 of 28 Evidence: medication is one that has been reviewed and re-issued. Areas within health and safety are well monitored, with staff performing a number of tests on a regular basis. The fire risk assessment and escape plan are up to date, and provide adequate safety for people in the home. Staff were able to confirm how often other safety tests are performed. The public liability insurance certificate was noted to be in date and tests on portable electrical equipment and gas appliances were also noted to be in date. The financial balance held on behalf of Service Users was correct and receipts were in place. Periodic checks of the balances held, are completed by a member of college staff based at another office. This shows a further process to involve quality assuring work in the home. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 25 of 28 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes ï£ No ï Outstanding statutory requirements These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards.
No Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 26 of 28 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection
Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours.
No Standard Regulation Description Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set
No Standard Regulation Description Timescale for action Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service.
No Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations 1 20 The recording of as required (or prn medication) could be clarified, to ensure no excessive amount of medication is given in any specific administration period. That the stock number of any bulk medications are carried forward to the new mar recording chart. This is to ensure continuity of auditing stock medications. 2 20 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 27 of 28 Helpline: Telephone: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone : 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web:www.csci.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website.
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