About the service: Fern House provides accommodation for people who require personal care with a learning disability. The service can accommodate up to six people.

The care service had been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. The values of choice, promotion, independence and inclusion, which the guidance promotes were being provided for people who used the service at Fern House. This meant the people they supported with learning disabilities and autism were not able to live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

On the day of our inspection five people were using the service; one person was accessing the service for short term respite.

People’s experience of using this service:

People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who had been subject to appropriate pre-employment checks. Staff knew people well and provided care in a way that maintained people’s safety. People’s care was tailored according to their individual needs, interests and preferences.

Staff were well supported in their roles and the provider ensured that staff had access to a range of training that was relevant to their role. People’s needs were assessed prior to moving into the home to ensure that they could be met within the service. Staff worked in partnership with a range of healthcare professionals to provide the best outcomes possible for people.

People had choice and control over how they spent their time. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act were followed and understood by staff. The home was well maintained and adapted to meet the needs of the people living at Fern House.

People were treated with respect and their dignity was maintained by staff. People were supported to pursue their interests and hobbies.

There was an effective system of audits that were working successfully to monitor and improve the quality of care people received. The registered manager and provider were visible throughout the home and committed to continually improving the care provided at fern House.

Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection in April 2016 we rated the location as Good.

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up: The next scheduled inspection will be in keeping with the overall rating. We will continue to monitor information we receive from and about the service. We may inspect sooner if we receive concerning information about the service.

This inspection took place on 12 April 2016 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection for Fern House since registration in August 2014.

Fern House is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to six younger adults with Autism Dpectrum Disorder (ASD) and learning disability needs. A respite service is also provided. At the time of our inspection three people were living at the home.

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.

People felt they were safe and secure. Relatives believed their family members were kept safe. Risks to people had been assessed appropriately. Staff understood the different types of abuse and knew what action they would take if they thought a person was at risk of harm. The provider had processes and systems in place that protected people and reduced the risk of harm.

There were enough staff, who were safely recruited and had received appropriate training so that they were able to support people with their individual needs.

People safely received their medicines as prescribed to them.

Staff sought people’s consent before providing care and support. People were supported to make everyday decisions and choices themselves, which helped them to maintain their independence.

People were supported to have food that they enjoyed and meal times were flexible to meet people’s needs.

People were supported to stay healthy and accessed health care professionals as required.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Care was inclusive and people benefitted from positive interactions with staff.

People’s right to privacy was promoted and people’s independence was encouraged where possible.

People received care from staff that knew them well. People benefitted from the opportunities to take part in activities that they enjoyed and that was important to them.

People and relatives had no complaints about the service and knew who they would speak to if the wished to raise a complaint. Information was available in easy read format for people.

The provider had effective management systems in place to audit, assess and monitor the quality of the service provided.