This inspection took place on the 31 May 2017 and 2 June 2017 which was unannounced, the inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Fairmead is a residential care home registered to provide personal care for up to three people, with learning disabilities and on the autism spectrum. At the time of our inspection there was one person living in the service, and the service was in process of assessing and making arrangements for a second person to move in.

The service was safe. The service’s recruitment process ensured that appropriate checks were carried out before staff commenced employment. There were sufficient staff on duty to meet the needs of the person and keep them safe from potential harm or abuse. The person’s health and wellbeing needs were assessed and reviewed to minimise risk to health. The service had adequate measures in place for the management and record keeping of administered medication.

The service was effective. The person was cared for and supported by staff who had received training on how to support the person to meet their needs. The registered manager and management team had a good understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The person was supported to eat and drink enough as to ensure they maintained a balanced diet and referrals to health and social care services was made when required.

The service was caring. Staff cared for the person in an empathetic and kind manner. Staff had a good understanding of the person’s preferences of care. Staff always worked hard to promote the person’s independence through encouraging and supporting them to make informed decisions.

The service was responsive. Records we viewed showed the person and their relatives were involved in the planning and review of their care. Their care plan was reviewed on a regular basis and also when there was a change in care needs. The person was supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. The service responded to complaints received in a timely manner.

The service was well-led. Staff spoke very highly of the registered manager/provider who they informed to be very supportive and worked hard to provide an exceptional service. The service had systems in place to monitor and provide good care and these were reviewed on a regular basis.

When we visited this service there was only one person living there. They told us that they were happy, safe and well cared for at Fairmead.

We saw that their care and treatment was planned and reviewed with their involvement and consent. Risks to the health, welfare and safety of the person were identified and well managed. Our visit showed us that the service was safe, responsive and caring.

Medicines were managed safely by competent staff.

Staff were well trained and supported to care for people properly and to keep them safe.

The service was effective and well led. There were systems in place for monitoring and improving the quality and safety of the service, taking into account the views of the person living there and other interested parties.

This inspection took place on 14 October 2015 and 20 October 2015 which was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of one inspector on both days.

Fairmead is a residential care home registered to provide personal care for up to three the person with learning disabilities and on the autism spectrum, at the time of our inspection there was one person living at the service.

The service has a registered manager. ‘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 a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.’

Suitable arrangements were in place to ensure that person received appropriate care and support to meet their needs. Staff knew the needs of the person they supported and they were treated with respect and dignity. The Person’s healthcare needs were well managed and they had access to a range of healthcare professionals.

The person’s needs were met by sufficient numbers of staff. Suitable arrangements were in place to ensure that staff had been recruited safely; they received opportunities for training and supervision. The person was safeguarded from harm; Staff had received training in Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and had knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The person had sufficient amounts to eat and drink to ensure that their dietary and nutrition needs were being met.

The person was provided with the opportunity to participate and engage in activities of their choice which met their needs. Relatives and the person who used the service knew how to make a complaint and we felt reassured that all complaints would be dealt with and resolved efficiently and in a timely manner.

The service had a number of ways of gathering the person’s views which included holding meetings with the person, staff, and relatives. The manager carried out a number of quality monitoring audits to help ensure the service was running effectively and to help them make improvements.