Long Lane Farm

Updated 22 January 2019

The inspection:

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.

Inspection team: The inspection was undertaken by two adult social care inspectors.

Service and service type: Long lane farm is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or 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. Long Lane Farm provides care to people living with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder and younger adults.

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:

The inspection was unannounced which meant they did not know we were coming.

What we did:

Prior to our inspection we checked all the information we held about the service. This included any feedback, concerns, safeguarding investigations or notifications the provider is required to send to us by law. We asked for feedback from professionals involved in the service. We also looked at the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used a planning tool to collate all this evidence and information prior to visiting the service.

To understand people’s experiences of living in the service we spoke with two people who used the service, one relative and received feedback from one professional. We also spoke with five staff. These included three care staff members, the quality improvement lead and the registered manager, who took overall responsibility for the service. We checked a number of records. These included, one care file and associated records and three staff files. We also looked at records relating to the operation and oversight of the service.

Updated 22 January 2019

About the service: Long Lane Farm is a residential care home that was providing personal care to four people at the time we inspected. The service is situated on the outskirts of Preston close to local amenities and transport links. The home has three bedrooms and people have access to lounge, dining facilities and bathrooms. There is also an attached two storey annexe for one person with a lounge, bathroom and bedroom.

People’s experience of using this service:

Systems were in place that confirmed any allegations of abuse were dealt with. Relevant risk assessments had been completed. The environment was monitored and safe for people to live in. Medicines were managed safely

People were supported 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 practice.

Relevant mental capacity assessments had been completed. A variety of meals were provided to people and we saw people taking part in meal preparation. Assessments were seen that demonstrated the relevant health professionals were involved in the care provided to people.

Care provided to people respected their privacy, dignity and promoted their independence. It was clear from our observations that staff knew people’s needs well. Kind interactions were observed taking place.

Care plans had been completed and were regularly reviewed. These contained relevant information about how to meet people’s needs. Plans were in place to ensure people’s end of life wishes were taken into account and respected. A varied individualised activity programme was in place that ensured people lived a fulfilled life of their choosing.

Feedback about the service was consistently good. The registered manager understood the operation and management of the service. A variety of audits were in place that demonstrated the service was monitored and safe for people to live in.

Rating at last inspection: We undertook the last inspection on 21 and 22 June 2016 where it was rated as good in all key questions and good overall. The inspection report was published on 19 July 2018.

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous ratings.

Follow up: We will reinspect the service as per our inspection programme. We will continue to monitor any information we receive about the service. We may bring the inspection forward if we received concerning information.