The New Barn

The New Barn is a residential care home providing the regulated activity of personal care to up to a maximum of 12 people. The service provides support to adults with learning disabilities and autism. At the time of our inspection there were 12 people using the service.

The home is set in a rural location. People have their own room, shared communal facilities and access to a large garden.

People’s experience of the service and what we found:

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessment and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

Right Support

People were receiving the right support however we found some concern with the record keeping and have recommended the provider reviews how records are monitored to ensure information is accurate.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who had been safely recruited and understood how to recognise and report abuse.

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.

Right Care

People received their medicine as prescribed and staff had access to guidance to support them in delivering the right care to people. The home was clean, and staff had access to personal and protective equipment (PPE).

Right Culture

There was a positive atmosphere in the home and people interacted well with the staff team. Positive risk taking was encouraged to enable people to become more independent. The registered manager understood their responsibilities under the duty of candour.

Visitors were made to feel welcome, and relatives were positive about the service.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (Published 22 December 2017.)

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service and the time since our last rated inspection.

We undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only. For those key question not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for The New Barn on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow Up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.

We found the following examples of good practice.

The provider followed safe procedures when visitors entered the property. For example, visitors were checked on arrival for proof of vaccination where it was applicable.

Staff and people were regularly tested, and staff had received COVID-19 vaccinations unless exempt.

The provider kept themselves informed about changes in best practice guidance and adapted their practice accordingly.

The provider ensured PPE supplies were plentiful and accessible throughout the buildings. We saw staff were using PPE appropriately at all times.

inspection 10 people were living there.

We found the following examples of good practice.

Staff members did not have a change of clothes when they started work. Although this is not a requirement, this is a guideline given by Government to minimise the spread of infection. The registered manager told us this was something that they were looking to implement.

There were systems in place to enable people to receive visits from one designated person, in line with government guidance.

On the day of inspection staff were observed wearing the appropriate personal protective (PPE) equipment following feedback from the local authority.

The provider had cleaning schedules in place. Touch points were cleaned frequently throughout the day. We were told one staff member was designated to cleaning touch points each shift pattern. People’s rooms would be deep cleaned at least once a month.

Where people had been unable to consent to COVID-19 tests or vaccinations, ’the provider was able to evidence appropriate consultation on people’s behalf before decisions were made.

The providers COVID-19 policy and business contingency plan had been updated throughout the pandemic to support the ongoing needs of the service.

The New Barn provides personal care for up to 12 adults with learning disabilities. At the time of this inspection 12 people were living there.

A registered manager was in post and present throughout this inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were kept safe from the potential harm of abuse or ill-treatment as staff knew how to recognise and respond to such concerns. People were supported by enough staff to meet their needs and who responded to them promptly.

The provider followed safe recruitment procedures when employing new staff members. People were assisted with their medicines safely by staff who were competent to do so. The provider had processes in place for identifying and addressing any staff member’s unsafe behaviour or practice.

The provider had infection prevention and control systems in place including cleaning schedules and processes for “deep cleans”. The registered manager had also identified link person’s to attend local infection, prevention and control events.

People were supported by a compassionate and motivated staff team. Staff members knew those they supported well and respected their privacy and dignity. People were encouraged to be as independent as they felt able to be. People received support to identify and achieve goals in their lives including educational, vocational and personal aspirations. People took part in activities that they found to be stimulating, challenging and enjoyable.

People were supported by a staff team that had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. New members of staff completed an induction to their role and were assisted to develop the skills they needed to work with people. Staff attended training that was relevant to the people they supported and any additional training needed to meet people’s needs was provided. Staff members were encouraged and supported to achieve qualifications in care.

Staff received support and guidance from a management team who they found approachable. People and staff felt able to express their views and felt their opinions mattered.

People’s rights were maintained by staff members who were aware of current guidance and legislation directing their work. People were involved in decisions about their care and had information they needed in a way they understood.

People were involved in the development of their care and support plans which were individual to them. People received care from staff members who knew their individual likes and dislikes and histories.

People and their relatives were encouraged to raise any issues or concerns. The management team had systems in place to address any concerns or complaints.

People had regular contact with the registered manager. The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of support given and to make changes when needed.