Background to this inspection
Updated
14 February 2020
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: An inspector visited the service.
Service and service type: Kent farm is a 'care home.' People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The 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 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: This inspection was unannounced. We visited the service on 20 January 2020.
What we did: The provider completed a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
We met everyone who lived at the home, spoke with six relatives and a person’s friend and asked them about their experience of the care provided. We looked at three people's care records and at their medicine records. We spent time in communal areas and observed staff interactions with people.
We spoke with the registered manager, and with seven members of staff which included care,
housekeeping and catering staff. We looked at three staff members files around staff recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal and at staff training records. We also looked at quality monitoring records relating to the management of the service. We sought feedback from commissioners and health and social care professionals who worked with staff at the home. We received a response from three of them.
Updated
14 February 2020
About the service: Kent Farm is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 17 people aged 65 and over. 16 people lived there at the time of the inspection.
People's experience of using this service:
People were supported by staff that were caring, compassionate and treated them with dignity and respect. Kent Farm provided a friendly, welcoming and homely environment for people and visitors.
People received person centred care from staff who developed positive, meaningful relationships with them. Staff knew about people's life history and their personal circumstances.
Since we last visited, some aspects of the environment had been improved. Some pictorial symbol/signage had been introduced to help people find their way around and locate toilet/bathroom areas independently. The redecoration took account the importance of colour contrast for people with dementia. Further redecoration and the upgrading of downstairs bathroom facilities were still needed.
People were encouraged to socialise and pursue their interests and hobbies. Care was more personalised and improved care plans were detailed, personalised and up to date about people's needs and preferences.
People and relatives said the service was safe. Staff demonstrated an awareness of each person's safety and how to minimise risks for them. People's concerns were listened and responded to. Accidents, incidents and complaints were used as opportunities to learn and improve the service.
People were supported by staff with the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Improved training provision meant staff felt confident in their role. The service worked in partnership with local health and social care professionals to keep people healthy.
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.
The service was well led. People, relatives and professionals gave us positive feedback about the impact of the new registered manager and on the quality of care. They said they were approachable, organised, and acted on feedback. Quality monitoring systems included audits, observation of staff practice, and regular provider checks of the environment. Continuous improvements were made in response to findings.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection: Good. (report published June 2017).
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last comprehensive inspection. At this inspection, the service remained Good.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.