Background to this inspection
Updated
17 October 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
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Farmhouse is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
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
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the 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 of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spent time with all of the people who used the service and observed the care and support provided by the staff in the communal areas. This helped us to understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We spoke with eight members of staff including the regional manager, registered manager and care workers.
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 provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
17 October 2019
About the service
Farmhouse is a residential care service providing personal care and accommodation for up to seven people living with a learning disability and autism. At the time of our inspection seven people were using the service.
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.
People’s experience of using this service
Systems had been established to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Individual risks had been assessed, and people were protected from the risk of harm associated with the maintenance of the service and the spread of infection. Medicines were being managed in a safe manner. There were enough staff working at the service and pre-employment checks were carried out on prospective staff. The service learnt from accidents and incidents to provide safe care and support.
Assessments were undertaken to determine people’s needs before they moved into the service. Staff received training to support them in their roles. Staff were provided with ongoing support through supervisions and appraisals and received a thorough induction, to enable them to provide effective care and support. People’s nutritional needs were met, and people were supported to access relevant healthcare professionals. The service took into consideration individual preferences and likes when adapting then home. 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.
People were treated in a caring manner by staff. Staff understood how to support people in a way that respected their dignity, privacy and promoted their independence.
It was not always clear that people were involved in the planning and reviewing of their care. We recommended the provider review best practice guidance and ensure evidence people are involved in making decisions about their care.
People received individualised care that met their needs. The care plans were person centred and discussed people’s protected characteristics. People were supported to engage in their local community and participate in activities of their choice. Information was provided to people in an accessible format. People told us they felt able to make a complaint and were confident that complaints would be listened to and acted on. People’s end of life wishes had been explored.
People, and staff spoke positively about the service and said it was managed well. There were processes in place to manage and monitor the quality of the service provided. The management team had regular contact with people using the service and their staff. The registered manager kept up to date with best practice to ensure a high-quality service was being delivered.
The service applied 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 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.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection (and update)
The last rating for this service was good (published 28 February 2017). The service continues to be rated good.
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.