We carried out a review of the data available to us about Freeman College 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 Freeman College, you can give feedback on this service.
About the service
Freeman College is a specialist residential further education college for young people with a learning disability or mental health needs and autistic people. People 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 service also provides a shared lives scheme. They recruit, train, and support self-employed shared lives carers (SLC) who offer accommodation and support arrangements for vulnerable adults within their own family homes in the community. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.
The service can support up to 20 people and 18 people were receiving a service at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider was able to demonstrate how they would meet the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture:
Right support:
The model of care and setting maximises people's choice, control and independence. Risks associated with people's care had been identified and assessments were in place to minimise risks occurring. The provider adopted the least restrictive practices underpinned by a positive behaviour approach.
The provider had a process in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and knew how to act on concerns. The provider had a recruitment system in place to ensure appropriate staff were employed. Environmental risk assessments were individualised and incorporated into people's care plans.
Right care:
Care is person-centred and promotes people's dignity, privacy and human rights. People received thorough and detailed assessments. Plans and interventions were individualised to their needs and risks. People were treated with kindness, compassion, and respect by the staff. Staff knew people well and responded to them appropriately and sensitively.
People told us they took part in a wide range of activities which were tailored to their interests and gave them the chance to try new things. Staff focused on people’s strengths and promoted what they could do, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life.
Right culture:
The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of managers and staff ensured people accessing the service led confident, inclusive and empowered lives. The leadership of the service worked hard to develop a learning culture. Staff told us they felt valued and empowered to suggest changes and confident enough to question poor practice. There is an open and honest culture between people, those important to them, staff and managers. People, relatives and staff told us, they felt confident in raising concerns and complaints.
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. Staff supported people to explore and embrace their identity and provided care that was sensitive to equality and diversity.
Rating
The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 14 June 2019.
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support right care right culture.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections, even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
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.