Archived: Farthings

Updated 22 November 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This unannounced comprehensive inspection took place on 10 October 2017 by one inspector.

Before our inspection, we reviewed the Provider information return (PIR). The PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also checked the information we held about the service including statutory notifications. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. We contacted and met the health and social care commissioners who monitor the care and support of people living at Farthings.

During this inspection we spoke with two people using the service and one of their relatives. We spoke with a care manager from social services and also spoke with three members of staff including the provider, the manager and one care staff. We received feedback from healthcare professionals and the training companies used by the provider informing us of their views about the service.

We observed the interactions between people who used the service and staff. We reviewed the care records of three people that used the service and the recruitment records for seven members of staff. We also reviewed records relating to the management and quality assurance of the service.

Updated 22 November 2017

Farthings provide accommodation and personal care for up to six people with learning disabilities. There were three people living at Farthings at the time of the inspection.

At the last Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection on 9 October 2015, the service was rated as Good. At this inspection the service has been rated as remains Good.

People continued to feel safe. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities to safeguard people from the risk of harm. Risk assessments were in place and were reviewed regularly.

Staffing levels ensured that people's care and support needs were safely met. Safe recruitment processes were in place.

People received care from staff that had received training and support to carry out their roles. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink to maintain their health and well-being.

People were supported to access relevant health and social care professionals. There were systems in place to manage medicines in a safe way.

Staff demonstrated their understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, 2005 (MCA). Staff gained people's consent before providing personal care. People were involved in the planning of their care which was person centred and updated regularly.

People were encouraged to make decisions about how their care was provided and their privacy and dignity were protected and promoted. People had developed positive relationships with staff. Staff had a good understanding of people's needs and preferences. People were listened to, their views were acknowledged and acted upon and care and support was delivered in the way that people chose and preferred.

People using the service and their relatives knew how to raise a concern or make a complaint. There was a complaints system in place and people were confident that any complaints would be responded to appropriately.

The service had an open culture which encouraged communication and learning. People, relatives and staff were encouraged to provide feedback about the service and it was used to drive continuous improvement.

The provider had quality assurance systems in place to review the quality of the service to help drive improvement.