East Fields

Updated 9 August 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service is a respite service. It provides accommodation and personal care to people staying at the service for short periods of time.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people using the service to be able to speak with us.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We visited the service on the 4 June 2019 to look at records relating to the service. On the 14 June 2019 we returned to the service and spoke with four people who used the service. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, and an area manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the relatives and professionals to validate evidence found. We spoke to seven relatives on the telephone, who gave us their experience of the service provided.

Updated 9 August 2019

About the service

East Fields is registered with CQC to provide respite accommodation and personal care for up to eight people. It is located in a small village on the outskirts of Chesterfield with good links to local facilities. A total of 33 people used the service at different times. There were four people accessing the service at the time of our inspection.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence.

People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they were exceptionally happy with the support they received from East Fields. Relatives described the service as being ‘a life line’ to them and ‘home from home’.

The service was passionate and committed in placing people at the heart of the service. There was an extremely strong person centred, caring and responsive ethos. People consistently told us how they were treated with exceptional kindness, compassion and respect. We saw there was an extremely positive atmosphere and engaging interaction during our visit.

We received many accounts of people's views of their support. Comments from people and relatives were, without exception, positive. They included, “They really go the extra mile, I'd would be lost without them.” And, “I have every confidence in them.”

The service was exceptionally well-led which was evidenced by the inspection findings. The registered manager demonstrated how their dedication and approach to supporting people provided a positive role model for all the staff.

People's needs, and wishes were fully met by staff that knew them well and were passionate about people’s independence. People were respected and valued as individuals; and empowered as partners in their care in an exceptional service.

People received fantastic personalised care and support specific to their needs and preferences. People’s needs were considered and reviewed, and changes made where improvements were needed.

People received their medicines as prescribed and were assisted to learn how to self-medicate, this took time and encouragement and staff were patiently committed to enabling people to do as much for themselves as possible. Staff were well trained, and medicines were safely managed.

People were safeguarded from the risks of abuse. Risks associated with people’s care were assessed and monitored. Staff were very knowledgeable about how they kept people safe. People and relatives told us the service was safe.

Environment risks were identified and well managed.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible, and in their best interests. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

There were enough staff to meet the needs of each person. Recruitment continued to be undertaken in a safe way. Accidents and incidents were monitored and analysed.

Staff were skilled, motivated and knowledgeable. They had received appropriate training and support and were encouraged to develop their individual skills and interests. People received a balanced diet which met their individual needs and took into consideration their preferences.

People were supported by staff who were incredibly kind and caring and who maintained their dignity and privacy and treated them with utmost respect.

Feedback about the registered manager was exceptionally positive and staff felt very well supported. Staff were motivated and proud of the service and morale was very high.

People were fully involved in the service and had opportunities to give feedback.

The service applied the principles and values apply the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The last rating for this service was good (published December 2016).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk