We carried out a review of the data available to us about Fern Croft 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 Fern Croft, you can give feedback on this service.
single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided,
and both were looked at during this inspection.
Fern Croft can accommodate up to seven people with a learning disability in one adopted building. At the
time of the inspection there were six people using the service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
¿ A new building in the rear garden was being used as a visiting pod to enable people to receive visitors safely.
¿ People had been supported to keep in touch with relatives through electronic means when visits were not possible.
¿ Staff and people using the service have their own boxes for PPE and other essential items in the event of an outbreak to minimise the risk of cross infection.
¿ Staff were provided with guidance and training on working safely during the pandemic and were positive about the support they had received from the registered manager.
¿ Staff and people had been tested for COVID-19 in accordance with national guidance.
¿ Staff used the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided appropriately.
¿ Staff wore identity badges which showed a photograph of the staff member which helped a person living with dementia to identify staff when they wore masks.
¿ Plans had been updated to state how the service would respond to critical staff shortages during an outbreak of COVID-19.
Fern Croft is a residential care home providing personal care to six people with a learning disability at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to seven people in one adapted building.
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.
Through implementing links with national support organisations, staff were enabled to provide outstanding support for people to manage their specific health needs.
We heard positive comments from people using the service and their representatives such as “I’ve loved it since I came here”, “I’m quite happy here” and "everything is very good here."
Staff and management understood how to protect people from harm and abuse. Risks to people's safety were identified, assessed and appropriate action taken and their medicines were safely managed. People were supported by sufficient skilled 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.
People were treated with dignity, respect and kindness and were involved in the planning and review of their care and support.
People received individualised care which reflected their personal preferences, wishes and routines. There were arrangements to investigate and respond to complaints.
The registered manager was visible and accessible to people and staff, providing clear leadership and developing ideas to continually improve the service. Quality checks were made with the aim of constantly improving the service in response to people's needs.
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 (report published 23 June 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.
We found improvements to how people’s medicines were stored and improvements to the environment of the laundry.
Staff and management understood how to protect people from harm and abuse. Risks to people's safety were identified, assessed and appropriate action taken. People were supported by sufficient staff who had been recruited using thorough checks. People’s medicines were safely managed.
People were supported by staff who had training and support to maintain their skills and knowledge to meet their needs. People’s rights were protected by the correct use of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. People’s health and well-being was actively promoted through the use of appropriate resources obtained by establishing links with national support organisations.
People received support from caring staff who respected their privacy, dignity and the importance of independence. There was regular consultation about how the service was provided to capture people’s views.
People received personalised support that enabled them to pursue their interests at the home and in the community. There were arrangements in place for people to raise concerns about the service.
The registered manager maintained an accessible presence at Fern Croft. People using the service and staff were kept informed about developments in the service and staff were clear about their roles. Quality assurance checks on the service including the views of people using the service and stakeholders had been completed as a way of ensuring the quality of the service provided.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
The inspection took place on the 29 and 30 January 2015 and was unannounced.
Fern Croft is a home for up to seven adults. People living at the home have a range of needs including learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were six people living at the home.
The home had a registered manager. 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.
Medicines were generally well managed although high storage temperatures during the summer meant that medicines were not always stored correctly. Some work was needed to maintain the laundry walls so that a hygienic environment could be maintained.
People were protected from abuse by staff who understood safeguarding procedures. Robust recruitment procedures were applied ensuring that people were protected from the employment of unsuitable staff. There were enough staff with the right skills and knowledge to keep people safe and meet their needs.
People were supported by staff who received appropriate training and had the right knowledge and skills to carry out their role. People’s rights were protected by the correct use of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. People were supported to eat and drink a balanced diet that respected their choices. People’s health and well-being was actively promoted through the use of appropriate resources obtained through establishing links with national support organisations.
People received support from caring staff who respected their privacy, dignity and the importance of independence. There was regular consultation about how the service was provided to capture people’s views. People received personalised support that enabled them to pursue their interests at the home and in the community. There were arrangements in place for people to raise concerns about the service.
The registered manager maintained an accessible presence at Fern Croft. People using the service and staff were kept informed about developments in the service and staff were clear about their roles. Quality assurance checks on the service including the views of people using the service and stakeholders had been completed as a way of ensuring the quality of the service provided.
People's needs were assessed and plans drawn up to meet their needs. We found that the provider had developed person centred plans, care plans and health action plans with the involvement of people. One staff member told us "we're here to look after people's needs, it's a very person centred home".
We found that all staff had been trained in safeguarding and the staff we spoke were able to tell us what they would do if abuse was suspected, witnessed or alleged. We found the cleanliness, hygiene and infection control measures to be satisfactory.
The provider ensured there was sufficient staffing to meet people's needs and made additional staff available for activities when needed. We found that staff were appropriately skilled and experienced and were supervised. One person told us the staff are lovely, this is the best place ever". Another person explained to us how they had been involved in recruiting the last member of staff to join the team.
We found the provider had systems in place to seek the views of people using the service and their family members. The provider learnt from investigations carried out and made changes as a result.
Staff comments about the home included; 'It's a fantastic place to work', 'It's a really good team', 'People living in the home have a big input in what they do', 'the manager is brilliant', 'the home is really well organised', 'The training we get is great'.