Fairlea

Updated 30 November 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was a comprehensive inspection. This inspection took place on 30 October 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Prior to the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service, including statutory notifications submitted about key events that occurred at the service. We also reviewed the information included in the provider information return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

The registered manager was on leave at the time of the inspection. The area manager attended the home to support the inspection. During the inspection we spoke with two staff. Due to the nature of people’s abilities we relied on observation and comments from relatives. We reviewed one person’s care records and sampled one other person’s records, plus staff records such as supervisions and training. We reviewed medicines management arrangements and records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures. We requested and were sent various records such as training records and audits.

Updated 30 November 2018

Fairlea in Emsworth provides support and accommodation for up to two people with learning disability and/or those with an autism spectrum disorder/condition. At the time of our inspection there were two people living at the home. People were accommodated in single rooms, with a shared lounge, kitchen, dining room and an enclosed garden.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support CQC policy and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

We previously inspected Fairlea on 7 November 2017. We found three breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities). We rated the service requires improvement. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider had met the requirement notices. At this inspection we rated the service as good.

People were safeguarded from avoidable harm. Staff adhered to safeguarding adults procedures and reported any concerns to their manager and the local authority.

Staff assessed, managed and reduced risks to people’s safety at the service and in the community. There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs.

Safe medicines management was followed and people received their medicines as prescribed. Staff protected people from the risk of infection and followed procedures to prevent and control the spread of infections.

Staff completed regular refresher training to ensure their knowledge and skills stayed in line with good practice guidance. Staff shared knowledge with their colleagues to ensure any learning was shared throughout the team.

Staff supported people to eat and drink sufficient amounts to meet their needs. Staff liaised with other health and social care professionals and ensured people received effective, coordinated care in regards to any health needs.

Staff applied the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. 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. An appropriate, well maintained environment was provided that met people’s needs.

Staff treated people with kindness, respect and compassion. They were aware of people’s communication methods and how they expressed themselves. Staff empowered people to make choices about their care. Staff respected people’s individual differences and supported them with any religious or cultural needs. Staff supported people to maintain relationships with families. People’s privacy and dignity was respected and promoted.

People received personalised care that met their needs. Assessments were undertaken to identify people’s support needs and these were regularly reviewed. Detailed care records were developed informing staff of the level of support people required and how they wanted it to be delivered. People participated in a range of activities.

A complaints process ensured any concerns raised were listened to and investigated.

The registered manager adhered to the requirements of their Care Quality Commission registration, including submitting notifications about key events that occurred. An inclusive and open culture had been established and the provider welcomed feedback from staff, relatives and health and social care professionals in order to improve service delivery. A programme of audits and checks were in place to monitor the quality of the service and improvements were made where required.