Enter and view: Harmony House and South View

Healthwatch South Tyneside undertook Enter and View visits to Harmony House and South View, specialist residential care homes in Hebburn providing 24‑hour support to adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs and other complex needs. The visit was part of a wider quality assurance programme requested by South Tyneside Council and was not prompted by any specific concerns.

Healthwatch carried out the visit on 26 November 2025 using surveys and direct engagement with residents, as well as feedback from relatives and friends. Seven residents and three relatives or friends took part. The purpose was to understand how residents experience care, whether they feel safe, respected and supported, and how well the service promotes quality of life and independence.

Residents consistently reported positive experiences of living at Harmony House and South View. All residents who responded said they were treated well, felt safe, and were happy with the care and support they received. Many described staff as kind, helpful and responsive, and several referred to the home as a safe and friendly environment. A small number of practical issues were raised, including shared bathroom facilities, a broken shower, and some uncertainty about care planning details, but these did not detract from overall satisfaction.

Residents reported being supported to lead active and personalised lives. They described a wide range of activities, including sports, gardening, shopping trips, reading, social outings and independent travel, with flexibility to match their interests and health needs. Most residents said they were involved in their care planning, and all said they were happy with their current care and did not want major changes.

Feedback from relatives and friends was also strongly positive. All respondents felt their loved ones were treated with dignity and respect, were safe, and had their needs met. They reported being involved in care planning and said that any concerns or complaints were addressed promptly and appropriately. Several respondents highlighted the caring attitude of staff and the positive impact the service had on residents’ lives.

During the visit, Healthwatch observed a clean, welcoming and well‑organised environment. Staffing levels supported safe care across both annexes, and residents were encouraged to develop independence through access to a skills kitchen, laundry support and flexible daily routines. Harmony House has larger communal areas and gardens, while South View was noted to have a particularly homely feel due to its smaller size.

The report concludes that residents at both Harmony House and South View appeared happy, settled and well supported, with strong evidence of person‑centred, respectful care. Healthwatch noted that there may be examples of good or best practice that could be shared with other specialist care homes in the borough. The provider welcomed the feedback and stated a commitment to continuous improvement, recognising both the positive comments and the opportunity to further enhance care quality.