The Highgate Care Home

What inspectors found

From the Care Quality Commission's assessment published 20 June 2024 (assessment visit 31 January 2024). Quoted under the Open Government Licence.

1. Safe

   GGood Good

   Staff and procedures were in place to ensure people were kept safe. Risk assessments were conducted and regularly reviewed. The environment was hazard free and monitored regularly by management. Extensive refurbishment is due to take place later this year. The property was clean and well kept despite its age. Fire safety and evacuation plans were in place and checks up to date. All staff we spoke to were aware of their responsibility for safeguarding people and knew how to report relevant information. Evidence showed regular training in this area. The home had recently introduced electronic medicine recording to support safe practice in this area.

2. Caring

   GGood Good

   People felt that staff were caring and those staff we spoke to demonstrated this. Staff were motivated by providing individualised, person centred care. They knew the people they cared for well. Care plans we viewed reflected this practice containing details of who people were, their preferences, likes and dislikes. People were involved in planning their care along with relatives/friends where appropriate. People felt they were listened to and that staff were responsive to their needs, communicating with them clearly.

3. Responsive

   GGood Good

   The home regularly seeks feedback from people, their friends and relatives and staff. Outcomes of such feedback is shared with details of responses and any relevant actions. People we spoke to said they felt listened to. Staff told us they were confident in talking to management and that they felt anything raised would be taken seriously and acted upon where necessary. Other professionals described the home as having a good relationship with external stakeholders. They told us that staff, including management accept and respond positively to advice given.

4. Well-led

   GGood Good

   The service was well led, by both immediate and higher management. Staff felt part of a team and able to contribute to decision making. Management had clear oversight of running of the home, evidenced through well maintained audits, procedures and risk assessments. Business continuity plans were robust and well presented to encourage smooth running of the home in case emergency. Efforts were made to engage people, their relatives and staff to deliver safe and effective care that meets the needs of those resident at service. Management were experienced in the adult social care field and understood roles of those they were supervising and the challenges staff may face. Management expressed they felt well supervised by senior staff members. Working practice demonstrated a cohesive workforce with a shared vision of the service.