Harelands House

This report details the findings of an inspection of Harelands House, a service providing short-term support for adults with learning disabilities. The inspection focused on assessing five key areas: safety, effectiveness of care, the caring approach of staff, responsiveness to individual needs, and the overall leadership of the service. The review aimed to evaluate how well the home meets the needs of its residents and their families, offering insights into the quality of care provided.

On safety, the home has robust systems in place, including thorough staff vetting and risk assessments that balance independence with security. Medicine administration is managed safely with trained staff and clear procedures, and the environment is maintained to a high standard of cleanliness to prevent infection.

In terms of how effective the care is, staff are well-trained and supported, adhering to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act to ensure residents' rights are respected. The service excels in person-centred assessments before admission, ensuring that individual needs and preferences are understood and met from the outset.

The care provided is consistently described as caring by families, highlighting staff's ability to understand residents as individuals and their flexible, commonsense approach. Staff are commended for their kindness, compassion, and for supporting residents to maintain their independence and dignity.

The service is responsive to residents' needs, offering planned respite but also adapting to urgent requests with flexibility. Care plans are regularly reviewed and updated, involving residents, families, and professionals to ensure a consistent and person-centred approach to support.

Regarding how well-led the service is, managers actively audit systems to ensure continuous improvement and staff are well-supported with ongoing training and regular supervision. The service demonstrates a strong commitment to incorporating feedback and learning from incidents to enhance the care provided.