Archived: Fern Lodge

Updated 10 January 2020

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 and an Expert by Experience. The Expert by Experience had experience of caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Fern Lodge 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

Prior to our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. This included any safeguarding referrals and statutory notification that had been sent to us. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

The provider did not complete the required Provider Information Return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about the service, what it does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account in making our judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with the manager, five members of staff, one person living in the service and five family members. We reviewed care and support plans, medication administration records, recruitment files, staffing levels and records relating to the quality and safety monitoring of the service. At the end of the inspection we provided feedback to the registered manager.

Updated 10 January 2020

Fern Lodge is a care home providing support for up to eight people who have a learning disability and or associated mental health needs. There were eight people living at the service when we visited. The service is located close to a number of supported living flats and staff from this service also support people living in the flats. The supported living service is separately registered under Braintree Health Care Limited.

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 and what we found

This was an extremely caring service which was well managed and put people first. People were supported by a staff team who were highly motivated and passionate about their role and went the extra mile when needed.

People were treated with dignity and respect and staff understood the importance of maximising people’s independence and opportunities. People received person centred care which met their needs and preferences

Staff understood the need to protect people from harm and the steps they should take if they suspected abuse. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to keep people safe and took steps to protect people and reduce the likelihood of harm.

Risks were assessed, and checks undertaken on the building to ensure people lived in a well maintained and safe environment. However, we have recommended that health and safety checks are more formalised, to further protect people.

Medication systems were well organised, and the staff worked with health professionals to monitor their health and wellbeing and ensure that people were enabled to live as full a life as possible.

There were sufficient numbers of staff available to keep people safe and meet their needs. The staff team was stable with a number of staff had worked at the service for some time. Recruitment procedures were thorough and reduced the likelihood of the service employing individuals who were unsuitable to work in this type of service.

Staff received training to ensure they had the skills they needed to support people with complex needs. Staff were highly motivated to access training and told us that they were well supported.

People lived in a very comfortable and homely environment and their personal spaces were highly personalised.

People’s health was monitored, and staff worked with a range of health professionals to promote people’s wellbeing. There were clear arrangements in place to support people should they have to attend hospital.

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.

Care plans were detailed and informative. Daily recordings were undertaken along with handovers to ensure good communication and continuity of care.

People were supported to have an active life and maintain contacts with those important to them. There was a complaints procedure in place to respond to concerns.

The registered manager was highly regarded and provided stable leadership. They were visible, accessible and supportive.

The service consistently 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

The last rating for this service was good (published 21 June 2017).

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.