Archived: Holly Tree Cottage

Holly Tree Cottage provides support for up to six people with autistic spectrum disorder and learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection there were five people living at the home.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The management of the home promoted an open and positive culture and there was a commitment to continually striving to provide people with opportunities to enhance their wellbeing.

People’s relatives had nominated staff for recognised awards for their commitment to care; two staff members had been successful in winning these awards in 2016. Relatives commented on the home and staff team being, “Person centred” and “Excellent.”

People lived in an environment where there was a strong commitment to enabling them to live fulfilling lives. Staff were innovative and creative in their approach to supporting people to understand situations and reduce their anxieties by using systems such as assistive technology. In a recent survey professionals had fed back they thought the service was ‘outstanding’ when referring to how they actively promote wellbeing and safety using person centred approaches.

The staff promoted opportunities for people to influence how their needs were met. Routines in the home were flexible and were based around the needs and preferences of the people who lived there. People were able to plan their day with staff and they were supported to access a wide range of social and leisure activities in the home and local community.

People were supported to plan and achieve their goals. There was an emphasis on enabling people to be as independent as they could be and to live a happy and fulfilling life.

There were sufficient staff available to enable people to take part in a range of activities according to their interests and preferences. Staff duties were clearly allocated so people received the support they needed.

A safe recruitment procedure was in place and staff received pre-employment checks before starting work with the service.

Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse. They had received training in safeguarding adults from abuse and they knew the procedures to follow if they had concerns.

People lived in a safe environment and were supported by a staff team who had the skills and experience to meet their needs and help to keep people safe.

People received their medicines when they needed them. Staff had received training in the management and administration of medicines and their competency in this area had been reviewed to ensure their practice remained safe.

People’s health care needs were monitored and met. The home made sure people saw the health and social care professionals they needed and they implemented any recommendations made.

Staff had built trusting relationships with people. Staff interactions with people were positive and caring. Staff were very skilled at communicating with people. Staff morale was good and there was a happy and vibrant atmosphere in the home.

Relatives were complimentary about the staff and management; they felt able to raise any concerns and were confident they would be responded to appropriately.

There were effective systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided. Staff felt well supported by their managers.

We have made a recommendation about the service reviewing how they support people in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.