The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Appledore Farm House

Burlescombe, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 7LQ (01884) 841626

Provided and run by:
Cambian Signpost Limited

All Inspections

5 March 2014

During a routine inspection

We visited the service in the afternoon and evening of 5 March 2014. We knew people may be out during the day at college or participating in other activities and therefore we gave short notice of our intention to carry out an inspection. This meant we were confident people would be at home when we visited. There were three young adults living in the home. They all had a level of hearing loss and used British Sign Language (BSL) as their main form of communication.

We were supported during this inspection by an Expert by Experience and by an interpreter. The expert had professional experience in the field of deaf advocacy. Both were skilled in BSL. This helped us gain the views of people using the service.

We found all three people were satisfied with the help they received from the staff. They received encouragement from the staff to work towards their individual aims. We heard how people's lives had improved since moving to Appledore Farm House. People were supported to plan and cook their own nutritious and balanced meals. They told us they knew how to make a complaint and were confident any concerns would be listened to and addressed satisfactorily.

We observed staff interacting with people. Most staff were skilled in BSL and were able to communicate fluently with each person; however new staff were expected to learn BSL during their probationary period which meant there may be some communication problems initially. . Staff demonstrated an understanding of each person's needs.

Medicines were managed safely.

The home was well maintained and suitable for the needs of people with profound deafness. For example, equipment such as flashing lights and vibrating furniture was used to alert people to the fire alarms.

25 April 2012

During a routine inspection

We visited the service in the afternoon and evening of 25 April 2012. Because the service was small with three people living there that attend college during the week we gave short notice of our arrival to ensure people would be home on our visit. The people living at the service were younger adults, in their late teens or early 20s. All had a level of hearing loss and used British Sign language (BSL). We were supported on this inspection by an Expert by Experience. This is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. In this instance the expert had professional experience in the field of deaf advocacy and was skilled in BSL. This helped us gain the views of people using the service.

We found all three people were satisfied with the help they received from the staff. There was good support for people's emotional needs, so that people could achieve a better quality of life and learn to become independent in the choices they made.

People had opportunities to express choices and work to a plan to realise goals and become more independent. Some people expressed frustration that new staff lacked a higher level of BSL skills. This meant they had to 'be patient' and wait for the staffs' signing skills to improve. However, there was a staff training plan which would ensure all staff achieved a higher level of BSL skills and there was always at least one person on duty with these skills.

The service was managed well with good record keeping which demonstrated that people were consulted about maintaining a high standard of care and support at the home.