Fairfield Farm College

Updated 1 August 2019

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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Fairfield Farm College is a care home. People receive accommodation and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. 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.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the director who was also the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager and the care manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to review evidence gathered and contacted three professionals.

Updated 1 August 2019

About the service

Fairfield Farm College is a care home registered to provide accommodation and personal care (not nursing) for up to 28 people. It is also registered to provide personal care however, their domiciliary service is not currently in operation. Fairfield Farm College is managed by a charitable Trust, The Fairfield Farm Trust. At the time of the inspection 21 people were being supported in four houses.

The service supported people to transition from a residential college environment towards independent living. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Because the service is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 28 people it does not comply with Registering the Right Support. However, the service 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 use the service for a limited time and are supported to move on to longer term accommodation.

People received a person-centred service. Support was tailored to individual need and focussed on increasing people’s independent living skills.

People were supported to make their own choices, be fully involved in their care planning, daily routines and goals they wished to achieve.

People received caring and compassionate care from staff who knew them well and were well trained.

People were safe and risk assessments balanced their freedom against personal safety.

People had the opportunity to develop new skills and interests and had a wide variety of clubs, sports, activities and work placements to choose from.

People were supported to maintain their physical and mental health with GP, nurse and specialist appointments. The service worked well with health and social care colleagues to meet people’s individual needs.

The service was well led. The management team complimented each other in their skills and experience and worked well together to achieve good outcomes for the people they supported.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at the 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.