The Farm House

This unannounced inspection took place on 25 September 2018. At this inspection we found the service was Good overall.

Why the service is rated Good overall:

The previous registered manager left the service at the end of August 2018. There is a manager running the service who is in the process of registration. She is an experienced registered manager who has moved from another home located within the village development. 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.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

People's safety was contributed to by staff who had been trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults and health and safety policies and procedures. Staff understood how to protect people and who to alert if they had any concerns. General operational risks and risks to individuals were identified and appropriate action was taken to eradicate or reduce them.

There were enough staff on duty at all times to meet people's diverse, individual needs safely. The service benefited from a stable and experienced staff team. The provider had robust recruitment procedures. People were given their medicines safely, at the right times and in the right amounts by trained and competent staff.

The service largely remained effective. Staff were well-trained and able to meet people's health and well- being needs. They were able to respond effectively to people's current and changing needs. The service sought advice from and worked with health and other professionals to ensure they met people's needs.

There had been issues with some aspects of the building such as a roof leak, faulty underfloor heating and the absence of door guards which the staff had pursued but were still outstanding.

People were encouraged 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 service supported this practise.

The service continued to be caring and responsive. The committed, attentive and knowledgeable staff team provided care with kindness and respect. Individualised care planning ensured people's equality and diversity was respected. People were provided with a range of activities, according to their needs, abilities, health and preferences. Care plans were reviewed by management regularly. Care plans contained up to date information and records demonstrated that risk assessments were reviewed within stated timescales.

The manager, whilst new to the post was well regarded and described as approachable. The quality of care the service provided continued to be reviewed and improved, as necessary.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found