Fennell Court

Updated 25 July 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check 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 inspection took place on 23 May 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was conducted by one adult social care inspector.

Prior to our inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service. This included information from notifications received from the registered provider, feedback from the local authority safeguarding team and commissioners. Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to help plan the inspection.

We spent time observing the support people received. We spoke with two people who used the service and following our inspection we spoke with two of their relatives on the telephone. We spoke with two support workers, the deputy manager and the registered manager. We were shown three apartments.

During our inspection we spent time looking at three people’s care and support records. We also looked at four records relating to staff supervision, recruitment and training, incident records, maintenance records and a selection of audits.

Updated 25 July 2018

At the last inspection on 7 January 2016 we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The inspection of Fennell Court took place on 23 May 2018 and was unannounced. Fennell Court is a purpose built care home for up to 8 people living with autism or with a learning disability and behaviour that may challenge others. Each person has an individual apartment with their own kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom and access to a communal lounge, kitchen and garden area. There were seven people using the service.

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 told us they felt safe. Risk assessments were individual to people’s needs and minimised risk whilst promoting people’s independence. Robust emergency plans were in place in the event of a fire or the need to evacuate the building.

Detailed individual behaviour support plans gave staff the direction they needed to provide safe care. Incidents and accidents were analysed to prevent future risks.

Staff had a good understanding of how to safeguard adults from abuse and sufficient staff were on duty to provide a good level of interaction.

Safe recruitment and selection processes were in place, although some records were not up to date.

A system was in place to ensure medicines were managed in a safe way for people. The service was adapted to meet people’s individual needs, with specialist furniture and fittings.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Not all mental capacity assessments had been recorded prior to best interest paperwork being completed. The registered manager sent us evidence this was being rectified following our inspection. We made a recommendation about this.

Staff told us they felt supported and records showed they had received role specific training and regular supervision and appraisal to fulfil their role effectively. Not all new staff induction was evidenced due to a large number of new staff, however the staff we spoke with told us they had received an induction. The registered manager sent us evidence of this following our inspection.

People’s individual nutritional needs were met and people were supported to access a range of health professionals to maintain their health and well-being.

The service worked in partnership with community professionals and used good practice guidance to ensure staff had the information they needed to provide good quality care.

Staff were caring and supported people in a way that maintained their dignity and privacy. Observation of the staff and the management team showed they knew people well and could anticipate their needs. People were supported to be as independent as possible throughout their daily lives.

Individual needs were assessed and met through the development of detailed personalised care plans which considered people’s equality and diversity needs and preferences. People had good access to social and leisure activities.

Systems were in place to ensure complaints were encouraged, explored and responded to.

The management team promoted an open and inclusive culture.

The registered provider had an effective system of governance in place to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service, although some issues with recording mental capacity assessments had not been picked up and addressed.

People who used the service and their relatives were asked for their views about the service and these were acted on.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.