Fairmount

Updated 28 June 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors.

Service and service type:

Fairmount is a care home. People in a care home receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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.

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 was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection. The inspection was carried out on 29 May 2019.

What we did:

We used information the registered manager sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require registered persons to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information from other agencies and statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager about events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

People were not able to tell us their views of living at Fairmount so we observed support being delivered in communal areas. This enabled us to see interactions between staff and people and observe support being provided.

We spoke to three staff including the registered manager and looked at a range of documentation. This included two peoples care and support folders in full and one further care plan to look at specific areas of care. We reviewed documentation relating to the day to day running of the service, including staff recruitment records for a new member of staff, training and supervision records for two staff members, staff meeting minutes and feedback. We also looked at medicines documentation, quality assurance and maintenance.

Following the inspection, we spoke to one relative on the telephone and received further feedback from another. We contacted two healthcare professionals for feedback but did not receive a response.

Updated 28 June 2019

Fairmount is a purpose built residential service for up to six people who have a learning disability and complex care needs including autism. Fairmount is in a residential area. There was open access to all areas of the home and garden to enable people using wheelchairs full access. There were six people living at the service at the time of the inspection although one person was currently in hospital.

People’s experience of using this service:

Outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support. People were supported on a daily basis to make choices in all areas of daily living from what they ate and drank to what clothes they chose to wear and activities they pursued. People where provided with opportunities that enabled them to gain independence and supported them to pursue new skills.

Risks to people’s health and safety had been identified and actions were in place to ensure risk was minimised. Consideration had been given to ensure that any actions identified placed minimal restriction on the persons day to day life. Staff were aware of the actions to take if they thought anyone was at risk of harm or discrimination. Incidents and accidents were well managed. Medicine procedures and systems were robust.

Staffing numbers were reviewed and assessed dependant on people’s needs. Care and support were delivered in line with current legislation and evidence based guidance. Regular reviews were completed to ensure peoples outcomes were being met and they were being supported in the least restrictive way to encourage their independence. People were encouraged to make choices and decisions.

Staff had access to appropriate training and support to ensure they could meet people’s complex needs. New staff completed a full induction and all staff had access to regular one to one support by management.

People were supported to have a varied and nutritious diet. A relative told us they were impressed with the choice offered to people. People had the opportunity to participate in food preparation and cooking and some people enjoyed going out for meals.

Staff knew people well and demonstrated a clear understanding around equality and diversity. They were able to support people to do individual tasks and activities of their choice. Peoples individuality was explored and encouraged with activities and pastimes adapted to meet their needs. Respecting people’s privacy and dignity was embedded into the culture of how care was provided at Fairmount. Staff communicated well with people in a way they could understand.

Care plans included detail which enabled all staff to provide consistent person centred care which had been tailored to ensure the maximum opportunities for people to explore activities and experiences of their choice. Activities varied from person to person and staff knew the things people liked to do and what they enjoyed.

The home had an open culture. A robust system was in place to report and investigate complaints. Feedback from visitors was positive.

People’s end of life wishes had been discussed and documented. Fairmount was people’s home and the emphasis would always be on people being able to stay at home until they died. However, if this was not appropriate then staff would work closely to ensure the transition to another health setting was as stress free as possible.

Regular checks and audits were carried out to ensure the quality and safety of care being provided.

Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection in August 2016 the service was rated Good.

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up: We will review the service in line with our methodology for ‘Good’ services.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk