The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Huish House

Huish Episcopi, Langport, Somerset, TA10 9QP (01458) 250247

Provided and run by:
Voyage 1 Limited

All Inspections

17 January 2014

During a routine inspection

We were unable to obtain people's views on living in Huish House as the people we saw had such complex needs they were unable to verbally communicate. We observed staff interaction and noted that staff relationships with people who lived in Huish House meant they gathered people's views by interpreting various body movements and sounds.

The staff were able to tell us what these movements and sounds meant for each individual. We noted that each person's support plan also gave an interpretation of the person's sounds and movements to further aid staff to understand each person's needs. We spoke with seven members of staff who all told us they felt the care at Huish House was very good and person centred. Comments included 'We try and do everything in a person centred way, how they spend their day and we promote choice and independence'

We spoke with a family member who told us 'It is excellent care here, the standard is fantastic' and 'We do not have any problems with this home' This family member had also been made aware of the complaints process and told us that if there ever was a problem they were confident it would be dealt with swiftly and effectively by the manager and team.

We spoke with a visiting physiotherapist who told us 'It's very comfortable here, a good holistic environment' and 'I have no concerns about the care in this home, good teamwork and communication and staff support maximum independence for people'

On the day of our visit eight people were in the house, four people were at college.

3 December 2012

During a routine inspection

We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people who used the service. Most people had complex needs which meant they were not able to tell us their experiences. We observed staff interact and communicate with people; we reviewed people's care records and spoke with staff.

We were able to speak with two people who confirmed they were happy living at the home, were well cared for and that staff listened to them. People chose how and where they spent their time. They were supported to access community facilities and had in house activities.

The staff we observed supporting people clearly knew them well and understood their needs. We saw that staff worked well together and communicated effectively. People had complex care needs and a range of health and social care professionals also supported them. Staff we spoke with said they felt improvements had been made since we last inspected and that the care and support people received was more 'person centred.'

None of the staff we spoke with had any concerns about any person being at risk and told us they felt the home was a safe place for people to live. Staff understood the various signs of abuse and knew what action they needed to take to ensure people were safe.

The provider had various systems in place designed to monitor the quality of the service provided to people and to ensure people remained safe. Improvements were made to the service when possible.

14 November 2011

During a routine inspection

Some people who lived in the home told us that staff provided the care and support they needed. They said staff were kind to them. One person we spoke with said that they were 'happy'. Another person said 'yes' when we asked them if they liked the staff who supported them.

People who lived in the home were involved in various activities which they chose. People told us they went horse riding, swimming, for meals out of the home, attended college courses and went on holiday. One person told us about their joint holiday and birthday celebrations with their family and another person told us they had been on holiday this year and wanted to holiday in Wales next year.

People who lived in the home told us they felt well cared for and that staff were available when they needed them. When we asked people if staff helped them do the things they needed help with, three people who were able to speak with us said that they did.

One relative we spoke with said the staff were kind and supported people very well. They told us their relative 'has very complex needs and the staff are very good with him. Since moving in he has really come on, I've noticed he does a lot more now. He always seems very happy, he would certainly show you if he wasn't happy or was worried. I have never seen him like that since living here. We are very happy with everything'.

We saw that people looked happy and relaxed when we visited. One relative told us they thought the home was a safe place to live and that their relative was safe. They said their relative 'never seemed unhappy or worried. When he was in his previous home I used to ring every day, but I don't feel I have to do that here'.

One relative told us they thought there were enough experienced staff working in the home; they visited regularly and there were always enough staff. They said 'all the staff seem really good and I see a lot of them. All of the staff understand how to help my son. I'm sure he's ok'.

We looked at the records of recent house meetings where the people who lived in the home were able to express their views. One relative said 'we have had a couple of issues but they have been sorted out as soon as we raised them. All of the staff and the manager are very approachable'.