During an assessment under our new approach
Date of assessment: 30 June 2026 and 1 July 2026. Fernleigh House is a residential service that can support up to 6 people who may be living with a learning disability and/or autism in one building. At the time of the assessment 6 people were living at the service.
We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed autistic people and people with a learning disability respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.
Care was person centred and focused on people’s goals and aspirations. People were able to give feedback on their care and shape this to meet their needs and preferences. Staff knew people well and supported them to participate in individual areas of interest. Staff supported people to communicate, engage in their preferred areas of interest and build upon their individual skills. People’s independence was consistently promoted to enable people to achieve their best outcomes and achieve their goals.
Medicines were exceptionally well managed. Best practice guidance was explored and followed to help ensure people received medicines in a person-centred way that met their needs.
We found the service was clean, secure and well maintained. Equipment was serviced regularly and checks were carried out to help ensure it was fit to use.
There was a positive and open culture that supported continuous learning and improvement. The registered manager reviewed the provider’s other services and shared best practice information to drive improvement and support positive change. The provider also empowered people to shape the service provided through co-production working. Risks were identified, assessed, documented and managed. Audits and checks identified shortfalls and drove improvements. Staff told us they were confident in the registered manager and the management team.
Recruitment checks were carried out to help ensure prospective employees were suitable to work with people who may be vulnerable. Staff completed appropriate training and had regular meetings with their manager to access ongoing support and guidance. Staffing was arranged so people’s needs and wishes were met whenever possible.
People were referred to external health professionals if needed. Information was shared effectively with other relevant health professionals to support people’s wellbeing. People were involved in menu planning and provided with a choice of meals, snacks and drinks were available if people wanted these.
When restrictions were required to help maintain people’s safety, these were made lawfully. Staff were aware of the type of restrictions that may occur in a care service and said they would report any concerns to the registered manager.
People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity and treated them respectfully. People were supported to maintain relationships with family and friends if they wished to do so. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to raise concerns with the safeguarding authorities if they felt people were at risk of harm or abuse and knew the different ways concerns could be raised.