Background to this inspection
Updated
11 September 2021
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
The Horizon 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.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
Prior to the inspection, we reviewed the information that we held about the service and the provider including notifications about the safety and well-being of people who used the service.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the registered manager and deputy manager. We also observed interactions between people and care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and seven people’s medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at policies and procedures, training data and quality assurance records. We also spoke with four relatives and three support staff.
Updated
11 September 2021
About the service
The Horizon is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to seven people living with mental health conditions at the time of the inspection. The Horizon can accommodate up to eight people in one adapted building.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe and were happy living at The Horizon. Safeguarding processes were in place to protect people from abuse.
Risks associated with people's support needs had been assessed and detailed guidance was in place for staff to follow. People were protected from the risks associated with the spread of infection. The service was clean.
There were enough numbers of staff available to meet people's needs and ensure their safety. Appropriate recruitment procedures ensured prospective staff were assessed as suitable to work with vulnerable adults.
People received their medicines on time, safely and as prescribed.
Staff received appropriate induction, training and support to meet people’s needs safely and effectively ensuring people experienced a good quality of life.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff were caring and kind and relatives confirmed this. We observed staff responding to people's needs with kindness and respect.
Care plans in place detailed people’s needs and preferences. People’s care needs were assessed prior to admission and reviewed thereafter.
Staff supported people to meet their health and nutritional needs. Staff worked with health care professionals to maintain people's wellbeing.
Audit processes in place enabled managers to identify how the service was performing and where improvements were required. Where minor issues were identified during this inspection, these were addressed immediately.
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 20 December 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
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.