About the Service:

Fairfield Care provides is a domiciliary care service. The service operates a supported living service and outreach provision to both children and adults with complex care needs and learning difficulties. A supported living service enables people with a learning disability to live in their own home and the outreach provision is a service which supports people to access their local community with support from staff. At the time of the inspection 11 people were receiving support.

People’s experience of using this service:

Medication procedures had improved since the last inspection. All staff received medication administration training and competency levels were regularly reviewed. Staff had access to an up to date medications administration policy and understood the importance of complying with policy guidance.

We received positive feedback about the quality and safety of care people received. Relatives confirmed that Fairfield Care provided high-quality, person-centred care.

Care records contained the most up to date, relevant and consistent information in relation to people’s support needs and areas of risk that needed to be safely and effectively managed.

People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse. Staff received safeguarding training and knew how to report any concerns that presented. There was an up to date safeguarding and whistleblowing policy for staff to refer to.

Staffing levels and recruitment practices were safely managed. We received positive feedback about continuity of care people received from regular staff.

The registered provider ensured that all pre-employment checks were carried out and staff were suitable to work with vulnerable adults. Staff received a thorough induction and were supported with a variety of different training, learning and development opportunities.

The registered provider complied with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, 2005. Staff understood and respected people’s right to make their own decisions and where possible, encouraged people to make decisions about the care they received.

A person-centred approach to care was evident. Care records contained detailed information about people’s likes, preferences and wishes; it was clear during the inspection that staff were familiar with the care that people required.

Relatives told us that staff provided kind, compassionate and dignified care. Staff developed positive relationships with people they supported; staff understood the importance of providing care that was tailored around people’s needs.

Staff supported people with activities that they enjoyed; people were actively engaged in hobbies and interests that were stimulating, exciting and fun.

The registered provider had a complaints process and policy in place; relatives knew how to raise a complaint and were confident that their concerns would be listened and responded to.

The quality and safety of the care was continuously monitored and assessed. The registered manager was committed to providing care that was safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality.

We received positive feedback from staff and relatives about the approach of management and their dedication to providing a high standard of care and support.

Staff told us that they received support on a daily basis and felt ‘valued’ as a member of the Fairfield Care team.

Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection service was rated ‘Good’ (report published May 2016). At this inspection we found that the registered provider continued to provide a good provision of care. The evidence we reviewed and feedback we received continued to support the rating of ‘good’; there was no evidence or information from our inspection or ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.

Why we inspected: This was a planned, announced inspection to confirm that the service remained 'good'.

The inspection took place over three days 11, 15 and 18 February 2016. The first day was unannounced. The service was last inspected in August 2009 and was compliant with the regulations at the time.

Fairfield Care Limited is a domiciliary care service which provides supported living services and outreach provision to both children and adults with complex care needs and learning difficulties. A supported living service enables people with a learning disability to live in their own home instead of residential care or with their family. An outreach provision is a service which supports people to access their local community with support from staff. It is also a respite service for parent carers as they have a break from caring whilst their relative is out on an activity with staff.

The office of Fairfield Care Limited is situated within Fairfield Farm project which is based on a farm in South Manchester. The service also has access to a log cabin on the farm which is used by people supported by staff as well as for staff training and meetings. At the time of the inspection Fairfield Care was supporting twenty nine people within the local community.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

Family members told us their relative received safe care, which was reliable and consistent. The service had sufficient staff to meet people’s needs, and people were given the time they needed to ensure their care needs were met. We saw that people were protected from avoidable harm.

During the inspection we checked to see how the service protected vulnerable people against abuse and if staff knew what to do if they suspected abuse. There was an up to date safeguarding vulnerable adult’s policy in place. Risks to people were assessed and risk management plans were in place. We found the staff we spoke with had a good understanding of the principles of safeguarding.

Family members of people who used the outreach service confirmed staff arrived on time and took their relative out accessing the local community for the length of time allocated. People also confirmed that visits were rarely missed and a manager was always available. There had been no formal complaints received over the last twelve months.

Staff had the skills, training and support they needed to deliver effective care. All of the staff we spoke with told us they were well supported by each other and the management team.

The service worked to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which meant that care staff supported people to make their own choices about their care. They used alternative methods of communication where appropriate. Before any care and support was provided, they obtained consent from the person who used the service where appropriate. We were able to verify this by speaking with family members of people who used the service, checking people’s files, our observations and speaking to staff.

The provider had recruitment processes in place which included the completion of pre-employment checks prior to a new member of staff working at the service. This helped to ensure that staff members employed to support people were deemed suitable and fit to do so. However we saw that the interview process needed reviewing to establish criteria against which people were appointed to ensure formal and objective recruitment so it was clear on what basis staff were appointed to their role.

We saw evidence of a comprehensive induction pack, with appropriate training provided for roles and responsibilities, along with competency testing. Staff also signed to confirm they had read policies and procedures and that they were aware of the provi