Barnfield House

The service was registered to provide care and support to people with a learning disability, however at the time of the inspection, the location did not provide care or support for anyone with a learning disability or an autistic person and intended to remove this service user band from their registration. We will monitor the service to ensure this is completed.

People were safe living at the service and staff understood how to protect them from abuse. Staff were confident raising concerns about people's health or welfare and reporting accidents and incidents. Where necessary, people were referred to external professionals.

Risks to people and related to the physical environment had been assessed and guidance put in place to mitigate the risks.

Staff had been recruited safely and there were enough staff to ensure people received the required support. Staff undertook training regularly to help ensure they stayed up to date with best practices.

Medicines were managed, stored and administered safely. We have made a recommendation about guidance on when to administer people's 'as required', (PRN) medicines.

Appropriate infection prevention and control practices were in place.

There was little information to show that staff were tailoring opportunities to some people's interests and preferences. We have made a recommendation about this.

Staff knew people well and regularly checked they were happy with the service.

People were unable to go into the kitchen. This meant they could not prepare or cook food. The manager told us they would investigate installing a kitchenette people could use. We have made a recommendation

about this.

People told us they liked the food and could make choices about what, when and where they ate and drank.

The service was working within the principles of the MCA. 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.

Some people did not do much during the day but there was little evidence to show this was their choice. People were not always encouraged to increase or maintain their skills and independence. We have made recommendations about this.

The manager and provider knew the service well and had a clear plan to improve the service and upgrade the environment.

People and staff were positive about the service. Staff told us there was a positive atmosphere in the service.