We carried out a review of the data available to us about Old Barn Close on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Old Barn Close, you can give feedback on this service.
Old Barn Close was providing personal care to five adults with learning disabilities and/or associated sensory or physical disabilities at the time of the inspection. The home was situated in a residential area alongside other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service:
The service met the requirements of good in all domains. This was because we found evidence of good safe practice and a well-managed service. Staff were responsive and caring to towards the needs of people. The care provided and the systems in place to operate the service were effective in meeting those needs.
Feedback from a person’s relative and a person’s friend indicated they felt the service was safe. This was “Because of the way the staff look after people” and “Staff are so caring…. they are very much on the ball.”
We found the service was safe because systems were in place and staff had received training in how to identify and report concerns of abuse. Employment practices meant the risk of employing inappropriate staff had been reduced.
Records demonstrated medicines were administered by trained staff, and in line with the prescribed dosage and time. The medicines were stored securely, and stocks tallied with recorded amounts. Risks related to the care being provided in the home, the environment and equipment had been assessed.
Risks were minimised where possible to ensure people, staff and visitors were kept safe. There were enough staff to keep people safe.
Staff were supported through regular contact with the registered manager, induction, training, supervision and appraisals. Training was completed in the areas deemed as mandatory by the provider, these included moving and handling, and health and safety amongst others. Staff were given opportunities to review their individual work and development needs through supervision and appraisals. Staff induction procedures ensured they were trained in the areas the provider identified as relevant to their roles.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
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 service identified people’s information and communication needs by assessing them. Staff understood the Accessible Information Standard. People’s communication needs were identified, recorded and highlighted in care plans. These needs were shared appropriately with others. We saw evidence that the identified information and communication needs were met for individuals. For example, through the use of sensory stimulation and photographic information.
Staff and people’s representatives told us the service was well managed. One relative told us “I can’t believe how lucky we are to have got [named person] into this home, it is so unique.” The registered manager and provider had systems in place to drive forward improvements.
The registered manager’s positivity about the care being provided in the home was evident throughout the inspection. They were a strong role model for staff. Staff and people’s representatives spoke positively about the registered manager and their ability to care and manage the service.
Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection the service was rated Good (Published 8 October 2016.)
Why we inspected: We inspected the service as part of our scheduled inspection plan.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service to ensure that people receive safe, compassionate, high quality care.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
The home is a bungalow accommodating five adults who have learning and physical disabilities. There is a registered manager at the home. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Due to people’s communication difficulties we were not able to receive verbal feedback from people, however our observations showed us that people were being well cared for at Old Barn Close.
Staff knew people well, they were aware of their likes and dislikes and what needs they required support with. People were kept safe because staff knew how to report concerns both to their provider and to the local authority.
Sufficient staffing was in place during the inspection. We had concerns about the lack of staffing for a couple of hours on Monday morning. This is when two staff take one person to do the food shopping. This leaves one staff with four people in the home. Since the inspection we have been informed extra staff are being provided in the home during this time to ensure people’s safety and well-being.
The home appeared clean and tidy, and staff understood their role in the prevention of the spread of infection.
Medicines were stored and administered safely to people. The competency of staff was assessed by the registered manager to ensure safe practice.
Staff recruitment was carried out safely; this was to prevent unsuitable people from working with the people at Old Barn Close.
Staff were well supported by the management of the home. Supervision and appraisals took place regularly. Staff reported the registered manager was approachable and managed the home well. They felt their personal development was encouraged through constructive feedback from the registered manager.
Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and how the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) protected people who may need restrictions in place to ensure their safety and well-being. Where restrictions were in place these had been authorised by the local authority.
People’s health needs were assessed and where specialist treatment or advice was needed, this was sought. Staff were observed to carry out any specialist advice given, to ensure people remained safe and well.
Staff appeared caring and genuinely interested in the people they were caring for. There was a clear rapport between people and staff. Staff knew the people well and managed to evoke positive and meaningful responses from them. Staff knew the importance of encouraging people to remain independent and how to support them to do so.
Care plans and risk assessments were up to date and reflected people’s needs. Relatives told us they were kept informed by the staff and management in the home, of any changes in people’s care needs. They were appreciative of the quality of care given to people in the home.
People enjoyed a range of activities outside and inside the home. Consideration was given to their needs and activities were selected that were appropriate to the person. Some activities included shopping, farm visits, visiting the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) centre, aromatherapy, cooking and pet therapy.
The registered manager of the home was held in high regard by the friend, families and staff in the home. Although staff told us they were supported well by the registered manager, it was evident through talking to the staff; they were equally as supportive of the registered manager. The staff team and the registered manager had a clear vision and aim for the service, of supporting people’s need in a homely environment. Our observations and through speaking to staff, we were able to confirm this was happening during our inspection.
We saw the relationship and interactions between staff and people who use the service were positive and respectful. We spoke with two care staff who told us that they supported people to be as independent as possible and supported them to work towards and achieve personal leisure activities or social goals. We looked at two care files that demonstrated the personalised approach in place to support the staff's comments. We observed that the manager operated a model of good practice by offering staff regular supervision and access to a framework of training and support that enabled them to provide a high quality of care.
We observed staff treating people with respect and were able to see that there was a good relationship between staff and people who use the service. We observed staff assessing people's needs and ensuring that care was provided in line with individual care plans. We were able to see that people were comfortable and that there was adequate numbers of staff available to provide the individualised support needed.