Finn Farm Lodge

Updated 18 December 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

Finn Farm 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 did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider is legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. A manager was in post who had started the application process with CQC to become registered.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 spoke with two people who used the service briefly and one in depth about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the manager, deputy manager, and two care workers. We spoke with one visiting health professional.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medicines records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We spoke with two relatives about the care their loved one received.

Updated 18 December 2019

About the service

Finn Farm Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care to three people with a learning disability at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to six people.

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

People told us they were supported by staff who understood them and were kind. People and their loved ones were encouraged to have a say in planning their care and support. People’s privacy and dignity were respected.

People were supported to understand the need to eat a balanced diet and to exercise. Staff understood people’s needs. When people became anxious staff took the time to listen to their concerns and reassure them. People were supported to develop and maintain relationships with friends, partners and relatives. Staff supported people to visit their families. People took part in a range of activities which they told us they enjoyed. Relatives were happy that people were supported by staff of the same gender and a similar age.

People told us, staff kept them safe. Staff helped people to understand when they were vulnerable and how to get help. Risks to people were assessed and people were involved in planning how to reduce risks. People’s medicines were managed by competent and trained staff.

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.

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.

The manager and staff had a shared vision for the service which focussed on people achieving their potential. The manager was aware of their regulatory responsibilities. Staff worked closely with other professionals to meet people’s needs. People were supported to be a part of their local community.

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 17 May 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.