This inspection took place on 6 February 2018. Futures is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Futures consists of three bungalows which are located on the site of Chailey Heritage Foundation. The provider, Chailey Heritage Foundation, is a registered charity supporting children and young people who have complex physical and learning disabilities and health needs. Futures provides care for up to 21 young adults between the ages of 16 and 25. It is a transitional service that supports young people with the development of life skills in preparation for adulthood. At the time of the inspection there were 19 young people living at the home. Some people were not living at the home permanently but had regular periods of planned respite care.

The home had a registered manager and they were present throughout the 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.

At the last inspection, on 3 February 2015, the home was rated as Good overall. At this inspection the rating remained Good overall, however we did find some areas of practice that needed to improve.

Staff demonstrated a firm understanding of their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding people. Incidents were recorded and addressed promptly. However, consideration had not always been given to ensuring the proper external scrutiny in line with the provider’s own policy. This was identified as an area of practice that needed to improve.

Incidents and accidents were being recorded however not all recording was complete. This meant that the registered manager could not be assured that all incidents and minor injuries were being investigated thoroughly. Maintaining complete and accurate records to show what actions have been taken for each recorded incident is an area of practice that needs to improve.

People and their relatives told us that they felt people were safe living at the home. Medicines were stored, managed and administered safely. Staff had a good understanding of how to identify and manage risks. There were enough staff to care for people safely. The provider had robust procedures for recruitment.

Staff told us they received the training and support they needed. People and relatives felt that staff were knowledgeable about people’s needs. One relative told us, “All the staff are skilled across the board.”

People were supported to have enough to eat and drink. They were able to choose the food they wanted, and nutritional risks and needs were managed effectively. A staff member explained, “The young people have meetings every week and decide what meals they would like to have.”

Staff supported people to access the health care services they needed. The provider had partnership arrangements with a health care provider based on the Chailey Heritage Site. This meant that people could access a range of specialist clinicians, nurses and therapists.

People’s needs were assessed in a holistic way. Care records were comprehensive and included people’s choices and preferences.

Staff worked effectively with each other and with health care professionals to support people. Staff demonstrated a firm understanding of their responsibilities with regard to the Mental Capacity Act. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People and their relatives spoke highly of the staff. A relative told us, “All t

We inspected Orchard bungalow on 3 February 2015. This was an unannounced inspection. Orchard bungalow is one of two, purpose built, residential services for young adults aged over 19, with complex physical disabilities. The location forms part of the innovative 'Futures' project, which was developed to support young people with disabilities gain life skills in preparation for their 'transition' into adulthood.  

A registered manager was 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.

There were procedures in place to keep people safe and there were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs and personal risk assessments relating to specific areas, such as choking and swallowing, were in place.

Safe recruitment procedures were followed and staff said that they undertook an induction programme which included shadowing an experienced member of staff.

Staff were appropriately trained and told us they had completed training in safe working practices and were training to meet the specific and complex care and support needs of people. They were knowledgeable about people’s needs and we saw that care was provided with patience and kindness and people’s privacy and dignity were respected.

Medicines were stored and administered safely and handled by staff who had received appropriate training to help ensure safe practice.

People’s nutritional needs were assessed and records were accurately maintained to ensure people were protected from risks associated with eating and drinking.

People and their relatives told us meeting social needs was promoted and we saw activities reflected people’s individual interests and preferences. We saw people were regularly supported to access facilities and amenities in the local community.

The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care. Surveys were carried out for people and satisfaction questionnaires were used to obtain the views of relatives and other stakeholders.

Audits and checks were carried out to monitor and address a number of areas such as health and safety and medication.

A registered manager was 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.

There were procedures in place to keep people safe and there were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs and personal risk assessments relating to specific areas, such as choking and swallowing, were in place.

Safe recruitment procedures were followed and staff said that they undertook an induction programme which included shadowing an experienced member of staff.

Staff were appropriately trained and told us they had completed training in safe working practices and were training to meet the specific and complex care and support needs of people. They were knowledgeable about people’s needs and we saw that care was provided with patience and kindness and people’s privacy and dignity were respected.

Medicines were stored and administered safely and handled by staff who had received appropriate training to help ensure safe practice.

People’s nutritional needs were assessed and records were accurately maintained to ensure people were protected from risks associated with eating and drinking.

People and their relatives told us meeting social needs was promoted and we saw activities reflected people’s individual interests and preferences. We saw people were regularly supported to access facilities and amenities in the local community.

The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care. Surveys were carried out for people and satisfaction questionnaires were used to obtain the views of relatives and other stakeholders.

Audits and checks were carried out to monitor and address a number of areas such as health and safety and medication.