We carried out a review of the data available to us about Kynaston Farm on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Kynaston Farm, you can give feedback on this service.
Kynaston Farm is a residential care home providing personal care for up to six people living with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum. Some people also had physical disabilities and sensory impairments. Six people were living at the service at the time of the inspection.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Fire safety was not always managed well, which could put people at risk in the event of a fire. We made a recommendation about this.
People’s safety was supported through the use of positive risk management and risk assessments. They were involved in selecting staff they felt safe and comfortable with supporting them. Relatives had confidence their family members were safe and the service was appropriately staffed.
The service consistently applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
People received effective care from a consistent, skilled staff team, who understood their goals. The service worked with healthcare services to promote people’s health and access the relevant professionals when needed.
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. People were central in making decisions about their care.
People thrived living in a warm, welcoming service where they felt a sense of belonging and their emotional needs were supported.
Staff actively looked for opportunities to improve people’s wellbeing and promote their independence. They were able to try new activities and set goals to work towards, such as losing weight or improving their communication. Changes to their care needs were responded to appropriately.
The provider was committed to providing high quality, personalised care. This aim was understood by staff and reflected in the care people received and the management of the service. People, relatives and staff were involved in the running of the service and encouraged to give their feedback.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 18 October 2016).
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.
Kynaston Farm is registered to provide accommodation with personal care needs to six people who have a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. There were six people living at the home on the day of the inspection.
There was a registered manager in post who was present during the inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People and their relatives were very impressed with the quality of the service and the excellent opportunities it provided to enable people to live fulfilled lives. The registered manager had a clear vision for the service which was embraced by staff. There was an open and culture where people were actively involved in the running of the home. The provider strove for continual improvement and explored different methods to gain opinions and views to develop the service.
People received care and support that was tailored to their individual needs and preferences. Staff actively sought opportunities to broaden people’s life experience and supported people to achieve their aspirations. People were involved in the day to day running of their home and were able to choose who they wanted to work with them. Staff knew people well and were quick to respond to any changes in their needs.
People were supported by staff who had received training in how to recognise and reports any concerns of abuse. Staff were aware of the risks associated with people’s needs and took action to minimise these without restricting their choice or independence. Accidents and incidents were investigated and actions taken to minimise recurrence and to inform staff learning. There were enough staff to support people safely both within the home and when they went out. The provider completed checks to ensure prospective new staff were suitable before they started working with people.
People received support to take their medicine by trained staff who received regular competency assessments to ensure the safe management of medicines. Medicines were stored securely and accurate records maintained. Staff monitored people’s health and maintained good working relationships with healthcare professionals who provided advice and guidance for them to follow.
People were supported by motivated staff who had received training and guidance to meet their individual needs. Staff felt valued and supported by the management team
People were supported to choose and prepare their own food and drink. People’s nutritional needs were routinely assessed, monitored and reviewed. Where required people were provided with equipment and staff support to help them feed themselves.
People and their relatives were actively involved in decisions about their care and support. The provider’s speech and language therapist team had developed communication passports with people to ensure effective communication. Staff were aware of people’s preferred method of communication and provided information in a way they could understand to enable them to make their own decisions.
The provider had a clear complaints procedure which was available in different formats. People had not had cause to complain, but were confident should the need arise these would be dealt with efficiently.