We inspected Honeysuckle Farm on 26 & 27 September 2017. The first day of the visit was unannounced. This meant that the staff and the provider did not know that we would be visiting. The second day of our visit was announced.

Honeysuckle Farm is a care home located in Newtown Unthank, Leicestershire. It provides support for up to 15 people who have a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were 15 people living the home, two of whom were in hospital. At the last inspection in October 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found that the service remained Good.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 on the whole told us they felt safe living at Honeysuckle Farm. Relatives we spoke with agreed that people were safe living there. Staff understood their responsibilities for keeping people safe. They were aware of what to look out for and what to do, if they suspected that someone was at risk of harm.

Risks associated with people’s care and support had been assessed and reviewed on a regular basis. Robust processes were followed when new members of staff had been recruited. This was to make sure they were suitable and safe to work there. People received their medicines as prescribed and there were appropriate systems in place to audit the management of medicines.

The staff team were suitably trained and supported by the management team through supervisions, appraisals and staff meetings. They were aware of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). This made sure that people’s human rights were protected.

People were supported to access relevant healthcare services. Nutritional assessments had been carried out and people were supported to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. People were fully involved in the development of the menus that were in place and these catered for people’s personal preferences.

The staff team were caring and kind and treated people with respect. People’s independence was promoted and they were supported to make choices with regard to their care and support.

Plans of care had been developed and the staff team knew the needs of the people they were supporting well.

People were regularly reminded of what to do if they had a concern of any kind and the provider’s complaints process was displayed for people’s information.

Staff members felt supported by the registered manager and the management team. They had been given the opportunity to meet with them on a regular basis and felt able to speak with them if they had any suggestions or concerns of any kind.

People's views of the service were sought. This was through informal chats and meetings. Surveys had also been used to get gather people’s thoughts and suggestions of how the service could be improved. Systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service being provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

This inspection took place on 27 October 2015. The inspection was unannounced.

Honeysuckle Farm provides accommodation and personal care for up to 15 adults with a learning disability. It is situated in Newtown Unthank, Leicestershire. The building is an old and extended farm building in a rural location. Accommodation is on the ground and first floor, which is accessible using the stairs or the lift. People have their own bedrooms and use of communal areas and garden.

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 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 safe because staff understood and practised their responsibilities for protecting people from abuse and avoidable harm. People were supported to be as independent as they wanted to be. Risk assessments were in place to manage risks associated with people’s care routines and activities they chose to participate in.

There were enough sufficiently skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs. The provider had robust recruitment procedures that ensured as far as possible that only people suited to work at Honeysuckle farm were employed.

People received their medicines at the right times. They and staff knew what their medicines were for. The provider’s arrangements for management of medicines were safe.

People were supported by staff with the necessary skills, experience and training. Staff were supported through effective supervision, appraisal and training. The registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were supported with their nutritional needs. They had a choice of varied and healthy meals and their food preferences were respected. People’s health needs were met through heath action plans. People were supported to access health services when they needed them.

Staff were kind and caring towards people using the service and their relatives. They understood people needs, their likes and dislikes and involved them in decisions about their care and support. Staff respected people’s privacy and supported them with dignity and respect. The service had a `dignity in care’ award from a local authority.

People received care and support that was centred on their personal needs and preferences. They spent their time how they wanted and were supported to participate in activities of their choice. Activities developed people’s skills. People’s views were listened to and acted upon by staff.

People using the service, their relatives and staff had opportunities to develop the service. Management and staff had a shared understanding of the aims and objectives of the service. The provider had effective arrangements for monitoring and assessing the quality of the service. The registered manager and staff were committed to continuous improvement.

People using the service told us they were happy with the care and support they received. They told us they received their medicines on time. One person told us that staff would check that they took their medicines correctly and said, “I know exactly what I need to take and why.”

All medicines were kept secure. There was suitable storage for controlled medicines and a secure medication fridge. Medicines were administered safely and the medication administration records completed accurately to show people had received their medicines at the right times. Staff had received training in the safe handling and administration of medicines and their competency was assessed.

We spoke with five people using the service who told us they were happy with the support they received. People told us staff always sought permission before they were helped. People said they were involved in decisions made about the care and the support they needed including taking part in the community or social events. One person described to us the different things they did. They said: “I use to go to Millfields but now I go to the day centre where I do woodwork” which they enjoyed.

People told us they received their medicines on time and knew what they were prescribed. We found staff did not always follow the medication administration procedures and records were not completed accurately, which meant people’s health and wellbeing was put at risk.

People lived in an environment that was clean, comfortable, safe and adequately maintained. Risks were assessed and suitable equipment was provided to ensure people’s needs could be met safely. Staff were trained to protect and maintain people’s safety. There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Regular checks were carried out on the premises to make sure it was safe and equipment used was adequately maintained.

People were supported by staff that had been screened to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Staff received induction training for their job role so that people could be confident that their needs were met by trained staff.

People who reside at Honeysuckle Farm told us they were satisfied with the care and support they received. People were supported to access health support when required. One person said: “It’s very nice here; I’m respected and treated properly.” Another person said: “The staff are very good and they make you feel safe.”

Information about the service and the complaint procedure was produced in formats suitable for people using the service. People were involved in developing their care plans, which were person centred and set out the care and support needs. Easy read, symbols and pictures were used to signify important aspects of people’s life and how they wanted to be cared for.

People were supported to maintain contact with family. They used a range of educational services and took part in social activities within the community such as bowling, shopping and the annual Christmas pantomime production.

People were cared for and supported by trained staff that maintained their knowledge and skills through regular training, updates, support and supervision.

The provider had an effective quality assurance system, which monitored the day to day running of the service. These included audits and checks on the environment, delivery of care and records and the management of the service. People were asked for their views and supported to make a comment about the service through care review meetings, surveys and using the complaint procedure.

We spoke with five people who use the service; all were complimentary about the quality of care and treatment they receive. They also spoke positively and enthusiastically about the educational, social and leisure opportunities, which they take part in on a daily basis.

People who use the service said they are in control of their life, feel safe and make daily choices and decisions, in some instances, with the support from staff. People said they are actively involved in the care planning process and reviews. People benefit from having person centred plans and information is available in alternative formats to help them understand.

Staff observed and spoken with showed their committed towards the people who use the service. Staff are supportive, positive and responsive. Staff have good awareness of people’s needs, ability and promote their rights and independence.

Some of the comments we received from people who use the service included:

• "I like being here"

• "…. helps me with some care tasks, like putting powder on my back"

• "I manage to look after myself and I keep my room tidy"

• "The nurse use to put my bandage on before but now …. does it"

• "Its very nice here, we have ducks who lay eggs, we use to have hens but they're all gone now"

• "I see the doctor when I need to"

• “The staff make sure I have my medicines, usually after my meal”

• "I do feel safe here, it is my home now"

• "The staff are very good, I have my freedom and we do lots of different things"

• “I like to talk to … about things that worry me”

• “I am respected and they do ask me what I think”

• “We have house meetings and talk about plans for the summer, the holiday and food. …. is talking to us about the menu, what we want in it”

• “We meet together and discuss things such as the drama group. We’re doing ‘Home Alone’ and ‘South Pacific’ shows this summer”