Fownhope

Updated 10 February 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector. We visited Fownhope during the day and an out of hours visit was also completed. An Expert by Experience telephoned people’s relatives as part of the inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Fownhope is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Fownhope is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post. The registered manager was also the registered manager for 4 other small residential homes with the same provider.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us and the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since registration. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 3 people who used the service. Most people using the service had limited verbal communication. We observed interactions between people and the care staff throughout our inspection. An Expert by Experience spoke with 6 relatives by telephone. We also spoke with 8 members of staff including the registered manager, service manager, recruitment and operations manager, senior support workers and support workers.

We reviewed a range of records, including 2 people’s care plans and medication records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality assurance, complaints and safeguarding were reviewed.

Updated 10 February 2023

About the service

Fownhope is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 6 people. The service provides support to people with a learning disability and autistic people who also have a physical disability. At the time of our inspection there were 6 people using the service.

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

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it. Fownhope’s model of care met the right support, right care, right culture guidance.

Right Support: Fownhope is located on a residential street, within easy reach of local shops and amenities. There were enough staff to meet people’s care and support needs and support people to take part in activities of their choice. Staff were safely recruited and completed the training required to carry out their roles.

People were supported to maintain their health and the home worked with a range of professionals to meet their health and physical needs. People received their medicines as prescribed. Fownhope was fully accessible and adapted to meet people’s physical needs. The home was clean throughout.

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. Staff knew how people communicated their needs and choices, through sounds and facial expressions, as well as verbally.

Right Care: Care records identified people’s preferences, support needs and potential risks. Guidance was provided to manage these risks. Relatives were positive about the care and support provided. People received kind and compassionate care. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. They understood and responded to people’s individual needs.

Right Culture: People and their relatives were involved in agreeing and reviewing their care. Relatives said there was good communication with the home. Staff enjoyed working at Fownhope and felt listened to by the service manager. A quality assurance system was in place. Actions were completed where any issues had been identified.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 5 November 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.