Leeds and Morley

Updated 27 July 2019

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.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and one special advisor in restraint and Mental Capacity.

Service and service type

Heathcotes (Morley) is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. The Care Quality Commission regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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 two people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the regional manager, registered manager, acting manager, acting team leader, team leader and two care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple 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.

Updated 27 July 2019

About the service

Heathcotes (Morley) is a 15 bed specialist residential service for adults with a learning disability, autism spectrum disorder, mental illness and who may have dual diagnoses and associated complex needs. The service is split into two neighbouring homes with 24 hours support; one has seven beds and the other has eight beds.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

Thirteen people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the services having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Care plans described the support people needed. These were in accessible formats and included information from external healthcare professionals.

Medicines were managed safely. People were supported and encouraged to manage their medication independently.

People's dietary needs and preferences were met and people were involved in shopping for and cooking their meals.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives.

People were safely supported and protected from harm or abuse. Safeguarding systems in place supported this. Staffing levels were safe and new staff were recruited using robust procedures. Staff learnt lessons after dealing with problems.

People were empowered to live full and active lives. They had jobs if they chose to and took part in a variety

of activities and were supported to maintain relationships with family and friends.

Staff were kind and caring and knew all the people and their diverse needs. Staff understood their roles clearly and knew what was expected of them. People were treated with respect and dignity, they were also supported to maintain their independence.

Staff provided responsive care, adapting this as people’s needs changed. People and relatives felt their feedback was welcomed and were confident any concerns would be acted on appropriately.

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 25 January 2019).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to intelligence that suggested the rating might have deteriorated. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern.

Follow up

We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.