Higher Cockham Farm

Updated 1 November 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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Higher Cockham Farm is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. Care Quality Commission (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 CQC. 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

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return. 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. This information helps support our inspections. We also reviewed other information we held about the service such as notifications. These are events that happen in the service that the provider is required to tell us about. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people who lived in the home, four members of staff and the registered manager. We looked at the care records of two people who used the service and looked around the premises. We observed staff interaction with people. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s medication records, one staff file in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

Updated 1 November 2019

About the service

Higher Cockham Farm provides accommodation and nursing care for up to six people with mental ill health. The home is set in its own grounds in a rural position off a main road. Accommodation is provided in six single rooms. Shared space including a dining kitchen and living room is available on the ground floor. At the time of the inspection, there were four people living in the home.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they felt comfortable and safe living in the home. The registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents or allegations of abuse. There were sufficient numbers of staff deployed to meet people's needs and ensure their safety. The provider operated an effective recruitment procedure to ensure prospective staff were suitable to work for the service. The staff carried out risk assessments to enable people to retain their independence and receive care with minimum risk to themselves or others. People were protected from the risks associated with the spread of infection. People received their medicines safely. The provider had arrangements in place for the maintenance and upkeep of the building.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the home supported this practice. People’s needs were assessed prior to them using the service. The provider had appropriate arrangements to ensure staff received training relevant to their role. New staff completed an induction training programme. Staff felt supported by the registered manager.

Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them and their specific needs and wishes. Staff spoke with people in a friendly manner. People were involved in the development and review of their care plans. This meant people were able to influence the delivery of their care and staff had up to date information about people’s needs and wishes. People were supported and encouraged to participate in a range of activities. People had access to a clear complaint’s procedure.

The registered manager carried out a number of audits to check the quality of the service. The registered manager provided leadership and took into account the views of people, their relatives, staff and visiting professional staff about the quality of care provided. The registered manager and staff used the feedback to make improvements to the service.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 23 May 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.