Background to this inspection
Updated
8 March 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 one inspector.
Service and service type:
Fern House is a care home. People in care homes 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 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:
The inspection was completed on 21 February 2019 and was unannounced.
What we did:
Prior to the inspection visit we gathered information from a number of sources. We also looked at the information received about the service from notifications sent to the Care Quality Commission by the registered manager. We asked the provider to complete a provider information return [PIR]. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We spoke with three people who used the service. We spent time observing staff interacting with people. We spoke with two staff including the registered manager. We looked at documentation relating to two people who used the service, two staff files and information relating to the management of the service.
Updated
8 March 2019
About the service: Fern House provides accommodation for people who require personal care with a learning disability. The service can accommodate up to six people.
The care service had been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. The values of choice, promotion, independence and inclusion, which the guidance promotes were being provided for people who used the service at Fern House. This meant the people they supported with learning disabilities and autism were not able to live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
On the day of our inspection five people were using the service; one person was accessing the service for short term respite.
People’s experience of using this service:
People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who had been subject to appropriate pre-employment checks. Staff knew people well and provided care in a way that maintained people’s safety. People’s care was tailored according to their individual needs, interests and preferences.
Staff were well supported in their roles and the provider ensured that staff had access to a range of training that was relevant to their role. People’s needs were assessed prior to moving into the home to ensure that they could be met within the service. Staff worked in partnership with a range of healthcare professionals to provide the best outcomes possible for people.
People had choice and control over how they spent their time. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act were followed and understood by staff. The home was well maintained and adapted to meet the needs of the people living at Fern House.
People were treated with respect and their dignity was maintained by staff. People were supported to pursue their interests and hobbies.
There was an effective system of audits that were working successfully to monitor and improve the quality of care people received. The registered manager and provider were visible throughout the home and committed to continually improving the care provided at fern House.
Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection in April 2016 we rated the location as Good.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up: The next scheduled inspection will be in keeping with the overall rating. We will continue to monitor information we receive from and about the service. We may inspect sooner if we receive concerning information about the service.