HF Trust - Lympne Place (High Trees and The Beeches)

This report details the findings of an unannounced inspection of High Trees and The Beeches, which provides residential care and personal care for up to 12 individuals with learning disabilities and complex needs. The inspection aimed to assess the service's compliance with regulations and overall quality. Significant improvements have been noted since the previous inspection in August 2016, with previous breaches now met. The service has a registered manager in post who is experienced in supporting people with learning disabilities.

On safety, the home has made notable improvements, particularly in medicine management, with medicines now safely stored in individual rooms and regular audits conducted. Risks associated with care are assessed and clearly recorded, with incidents analysed to prevent recurrence. Safeguarding concerns are reported appropriately, and staff are trained to recognise and respond to abuse, ensuring people are kept safe.

In terms of how effective the care is, while staff understand best practice for supporting individuals with learning disabilities, there's an identified area for improvement in consistently recording personal goals and achievements. Some confusion was also noted regarding policies on supporting individuals with finances during outings, though immediate steps were taken to address this and ensure clarity and appropriate documentation for best interest decisions.

Regarding the caring aspect, staff treat residents with kindness, compassion, respect, and dignity. They effectively use various communication methods, including non-verbal cues, to ensure individuals are involved in decisions about their care and can express their needs. Staff provided compassionate support during times of loss.

In terms of being responsive, the service has clear guidelines for staff on how individuals prefer to be supported. Residents are encouraged to participate in a range of activities both within and outside the home. The service handles complaints appropriately, responding in line with policy, and staff are knowledgeable about residents' preferences and needs.

On being well-led, there is an open and supportive culture that encourages independence. The registered manager demonstrates a strong understanding of regulatory requirements and has driven improvements. Feedback is actively sought from residents, relatives, and staff through surveys, with identified areas for development being addressed. The service collaborates effectively with other agencies and regularly conducts audits to ensure high standards of care.