Crockstead Farm House

Updated 18 July 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 checked 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 inspection took place on 22 March 2018 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours notice because we needed to be sure that staff would be available on the day.

One inspector carried out the inspection.

Before the inspection we reviewed, the information the provider had sent to us in the provider information return (PIR). This is key information we require the provider to send to us at least annually. It includes information on what the service does well and any planned improvements they plan to make. We also reviewed notifications the provider had sent to us about important events that had happened within the service and that the provider has a legal responsibility to tell us about. We used this information to plan our inspection. http://crmlive/epublicsector_oui_enu/images/oui_icons/cqc-expand-icon.png

We requested information by email from local authority care managers and commissioners who were health and social care professionals involved in the service. We spoke with two people who used the service, some of whom had limited verbal communication. We spoke with the registered manager and three staff members. We looked at the care plans and associated records of three people. We reviewed other records, including the provider's policies and procedures, incident reports, staff recruitment, training records, staffing rotas and quality assurance records.

Updated 18 July 2018

Crockstead Farm House is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The home is registered to accommodate up to five people and provides care and support for three adults with learning disabilities and or autism. The home is sited in a rural area close to a small town and provides a homely environment for people, with access to a garden.

The inspection was announced and was carried out on 22 March 2018 by one inspector.

There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the home. 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 home is run.

The care service is delivered in line with the values that underpin the 'Registering the Right Support' and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion which ensure people using the service can live as ordinary life as any citizen.

People's medicines were managed safely. However, we found that the controlled drugs cabinet did not meet current specification. When we pointed this out to the provider and registered manager, they took immediate action to replace the cabinet and updated CQC when this was done. People received their medicines as prescribed by staff who had been trained to administer medicines safely.

People were kept safe; the registered manager and staff knew their responsibilities to report any concerns under safeguarding vulnerable adults and protect people from abuse.

There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people's needs and keep them safe, both at the home and while accessing the local community. Recruitment procedures were safe and supported the provider to make safer recruitments decisions to employ suitable staff.

Staff received training, supervision and appraisal to support them in their roles and to provide them with the required skills, knowledge and competencies.

Risks associated with people's health, safety and welfare had been identified and assessed, and guidance was in place to help staff to reduce those risks. Emergency and evacuation procedures were in place and staff understood what to do in the event of an emergency.

Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and worked within ensuring they sought people's consent and acted in people's best interest. Deprivation of liberty safeguards had been submitted to the local authority for authorisation when required.

People had access to health care services when required and were supported by staff to maintain their health and wellbeing. People were offered a choice of food and drink that met their dietary needs and personal choices.

People took part in a wide range of activities in line with their interests and personal goals. Staff were kind and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. People were encouraged to maintain important relationships with family and friends.

Systems were in place to monitor and assess the quality and safety of the service, including complaints and compliments. People and relatives were offered opportunities to feedback their views about the care provided and this was used to improve the service. However some policies and procedures had not been reviewed regular and contained outdated information. When we pointed this out to the provider they took immediate action to rectify this.

Staff felt very supported by the registered manager who was approachable and involved them in the development of the service. The registered manager understood their legal responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, including submitting notifications of events as required to the Care Quality Commission.