Inspection on 21/01/09 for Wootton Hall Farm

This inspection was carried out on 21st January 2009.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Good service.

The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

Other inspections for this house

Wootton Hall Farm 06/02/07

Wootton Hall Farm 17/10/05

Wootton Hall Farm 17/05/05

Wootton Hall Farm 16/12/04

Wootton Hall Farm 05/05/04

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Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 19/06/2009.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: Wootton Hall Farm Tiptoe Road New Milton Hampshire BH25 5SJ     The quality rating for this care home is:   two star good service A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. Lead inspector: Joyce Bingham     Date: 2 1 0 1 2 0 0 9 This is a report of an inspection where we looked at how well this care home is meeting the needs of people who use it. There is a summary of what we think this service does well, what they have improved on and, where it applies, what they need to do better. We use the national minimum standards to describe the outcomes that people should experience. National minimum standards are written by the Department of Health for each type of care service. After the summary there is more detail about our findings. The following table explains what you will see under each outcome area. Outcome area (for example Choice of home) These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. that people have said are important to them: They reflect the things This box tells you the outcomes that we will always inspect against when we do a key inspection. This box tells you any additional outcomes that we may inspect against when we do a key inspection. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: This box tells you our opinion of what we have looked at in this outcome area. We will say whether it is excellent, good, adequate or poor. Evidence: This box describes the information we used to come to our judgement. Copies of the National Minimum Standards – Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or bought from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to: • • • • Put the people who use social care first Improve services and stamp out bad practice Be an expert voice on social care Practise what we preach in our own organisation Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 29 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2009) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. www.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 29 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Wootton Hall Farm Tiptoe Road New Milton Hampshire BH25 5SJ 01425618717 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy Name of registered manager (if applicable) Miss Jane Pritchard-Williams Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 learning disability mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia Additional conditions: The maximum number of service users to be accommodated is 33 The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home only (PC) to service users of the following gender: Either whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following category: Mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia (MD) Learning disability (LD) Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Wootton Hall Farm is one of three student residential units managed by The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy, an Independent Residential Specialist College offering young adults who have a learning difficulty a 3 year further education course through the media of care and management of horses. This is then transferred to personal development towards independent living. Wootton Hall Farm accommodates up to 33 first and second year students annually during three academic terms. Accommodation Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 29 care home 33 Over 65 0 0 33 33 Brief description of the care home is provided on two floors in a mixture of single and double bedrooms. The establishment is situated within the boundary of the New Forest approximately two miles from New Milton town centre. During the working day, students are provided with transport to another campus to pursue educational activities. The registered manager is Miss Jane Pritchard-Williams. Fees range from £954 to £1,811 per week. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 29 Summary This is an overview of what we found during the inspection. The quality rating for this care home is: Our judgement for each outcome: two star good service Choice of home Individual needs and choices Lifestyle Personal and healthcare support Concerns, complaints and protection Environment Staffing Conduct and management of the home peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: The quality rating for this service is 2 star. This means the students who use this service experience good quality outcomes. The purpose of the inspection was to find out how well the home is doing in meeting the key National Minimum Standards and Regulations. The findings of this report are based on several different sources of evidence. These include the Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) completed by the home, and surveyed comments from thirteen students and three staff. An unannounced visit to the home took place on 21 January 2009 December and lasted eight hours. During this time we were able to have a partial tour of the premises, including three bedrooms, two bathrooms, the television lounge, activity centre, kitchen and student kitchen. We had private discussions with the registered manager, the senior member of staff on duty and three other staff, and Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 29 contact with all the students. We spoke with three students in private. We were kindly invited to have supper with the students and staff and this opportunity to talk informally over a meal was appreciated. We sampled staff and student records, and policies and procedures that relate to the running of the home. All regulatory activity since the last inspection was reviewed and taken into account including notifications sent to the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 4. The report of this inspection is available from our website www.csci.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning our order line –0870 240 7535. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 29 Details of our findings Contents Choice of home (standards 1 - 5) Individual needs and choices (standards 6-10) Lifestyle (standards 11 - 17) Personal and healthcare support (standards 18 - 21) Concerns, complaints and protection (standards 22 - 23) Environment (standards 24 - 30) Staffing (standards 31 - 36) Conduct and management of the home (standards 37 - 43) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 9 of 29 Choice of home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People are confident that the care home can support them. This is because there is an accurate assessment of their needs that they, or people close to them, have been involved in. This tells the home all about them, what they hope for and want to achieve, and the support they need. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, and people close to them, can visit the home and get full, clear, accurate and up to date information. If they decide to stay in the home they know about their rights and responsibilities because there is an easy to understand contract or statement of terms and conditions between the person and the care home that includes how much they will pay and what the home provides for the money. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Prospective students needs, skills and aspirations are comprehensively assessed by multi-disciplinary senior staff. Students are given ample opportunity, free of charge, to test drive living and learning at the FCRT. Evidence: The AQAA details the process followed for the assessment of potential students to the FCRT. A seven day residential period is offered at Wootton Hall Farm to enable both the student to assess the Centre and the staff to thoroughly assess the skills, needs and learning potential of the student. Potential students are offered this opportunity during term time when the FCRT is functioning normally. While we were there we were able to meet with a student who had started one of these assessments, and was not happy to continue with the week. They were being given 1:1 support until transport was arranged for return home. We were told by the senior member of staff on duty that two potential students attending during the previous week had had a great time Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 29 Evidence: and were really keen to come. We also sampled four current student files. The seven day residential assessment and resulting report covers self care skills, travel, communication -involving both the students understanding and their oral ability, literacy, numeracy, comprehension of proportions, money management, time concepts, gymnastics and horsemanship, community awareness, social behaviour and initiative, leisure, general health and medication. Contributions to this report are made by senior professional staff of the FCRT from education, horsemanship and health care. A comprehensive profile is then produced and and a proposal made for the appropriate residential funding band. This 7 day period (which is offered free of charge) also enables the student to experience the dynamics of the Centre, form an opinion about the Centre and its student group and to ask any questions they want about the service. 13 out of 15 students who were invited to, completed the confidential surveys we gave them. They all agreed they had enough information about the Centre before they moved in to decide if it was the right place for them. A typical comment was I got lots of stuff. In response to the question whether they were asked if they wanted to move to this Centre there was one questionnaire left blank, two said no and 10 said they were asked. Comments include: I am happy at the Fortune Centre, I really enjoy being at the FC. We were told that the Student/Parent guide was currently being reviewed and updated to incorporate the requirements of the service user guide regulations. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 29 Individual needs and choices These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People’s needs and goals are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. People are able to make decisions about their life, including their finances, with support if they need it. This is because the staff promote their rights and choices. People are supported to take risks to enable them to stay independent. This is because the staff have appropriate information on which to base decisions. People are asked about, and are involved in, all aspects of life in the home. This is because the manager and staff offer them opportunities to participate in the day to day running of the home and enable them to influence key decisions. People are confident that the home handles information about them appropriately. This is because the home has clear policies and procedures that staff follow. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The students know their needs are recorded in their individual care plans and agree to the content. Students are supported by generic and individual risk assessments. Free choices of activities for students are inevitably limited by the structured curriculum, but students would appreciate and benefit from more rest time. Evidence: We were told that throughout the first term the assessment of each student continues (baseline assessments) and these then inform the Individual Learning Plan (ILP). At the time of the inspection they were being worked on at the main centre but the ones requested were brought over for inspection. We found them to be comprehensive and individualised. They defined specific goals in the learning process. They were dated and signed for by each student. In relation to some decision making the shape of the student day is defined by the curriculum and we were told by the staff and the students that the students rise at Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 12 of 29 Evidence: 7am, go to work at 08:30 and return at about 4:30pm. They then have time for personal care, showering, hair washing, and personal laundry. The evening meal is 6.30 pm. A choice of three activities are given until 8:30pm when there is an hours free time to watch the tv, play games, have personal space in their rooms etc. The TV news can be watched until 9:30 pm when the television is switched off and students are expected to prepare for bed. (At least five students spoken with said they would like more television!) Responses in the thirteen confidential surveys returned by the students indicated that, in relation to deciding about what they do each day, five felt they had no choice, two felt they had choice sometimes, three felt they had choice usually and two felt they always had choice. When this question was broken down into times of the day 15 felt they had choice in the daytime, 31 in the evenings and only 11 at weekends. Some students said, I am happy at the Fortune Centre; I really enjoy being here, brilliant (with thumbs up). Others said, The Centre makes all the choices, Staff make the decisions I follow a timetable during the day but have a choice of games at night. I like the night time. Its fun. I dont want to work every Sunday. I would like more time to myself in the evening and weekends. We dont get days off. Risk assessments were seen to be incorporated in the ILPs. They were both generic and specific to individuals. According to the AQAA the procedure for when a person goes missing has not been reviewed since 2007 and we recommended that should be looked at again. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 13 of 29 Lifestyle These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: Each person is treated as an individual and the care home is responsive to his or her race, culture, religion, age, disability, gender and sexual orientation. They can take part in activities that are appropriate to their age and culture and are part of their local community. The care home supports people to follow personal interests and activities. People are able to keep in touch with family, friends and representatives and the home supports them to have appropriate personal, family and sexual relationships. People are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. Their dignity and rights are respected in their daily life. People have healthy, well-presented meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. People have opportunities to develop their social, emotional, communication and independent living skills. This is because the staff support their personal development. People choose and participate in suitable leisure activities. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Students are fully committed to the curriculum and are supported to identify individual interests and vocational opportunities they will engage with more fully in the future. Students may benefit from more free time. They are encouraged during term times to maintain links with their families and to form positive relationships within the group dynamics. Evidence: The AQAA informed us that students are supported to investigate what is available in the local community which matches their interests, and will build towards transition on leaving the course. Staff teach how to process personal laundry and on a rota basis small groups of students how to plan, budget, shop for and cook a meal. Students take part in a variety of different leisure activities and events in the community e.g. a car boot sale, Badminton Horse trials, the Hazelhurst Ride in South Sway and Shout Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 14 of 29 Evidence: About, which was effective in persuading the local council to continue running the Cango community bus. We were told that the shape of the student day in their first year is largely organised from rising times to bedtimes, with small periods of time for choice of two or three activities. Daily routines are agreed with the group for their personal care, room cleaning and individual rosters are established for laundry (notice-board lists were seen for those who can undertake some of the activity and others who bring the items to the laundry). We were told by the senior member of staff that first year students generally do not participate in work experience outside of the FCRT as their priority is the first year curriculum. We were told that the first six months are formative, in the transition from childhood to adulthood. Students told us they go to aqua-aerobics, shopping in supermarkets, youth club, with Friday nights being the night for going out. Surveys indicate that students want more time off/free time. Comments heard on the day include: I dont want to work every day, even on days off I have to work, staff wont let you put the tv on, I dont like going to the yard on a Sunday-second years dont have to, works boring, the football table is broken I hate stopping watching the television half way through because times up. We were invited to have supper with the students in their dining room and this was appreciated. The meals were served at the the table with students helping themselves from the serving dishes. The dishes were nicely presented, served hot and tasty. There was provision for special diets including vegetarian. When asked about the meals one student gave us the thumbs up with brilliant. Another said the food is very good but we would like more hot puddings. I like the food but not the same puddings all the time. They told us they often have fruit or yoghurt. One said, the food is not great. We dont get to choose it. Sometimes there is not enough. This was checked on the day and we were told that there are some students who are learning diet awareness and the importance of a healthy variety. We saw the kitchen and spoke with the chef. Menus were inspected. We noted a reasonable variety of meals with some close repetition of meat ingredient, e.g. timetabling of spaghetti, beef hotpot and lasagne which is all beef and very little featuring of chicken as a main meat. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 15 of 29 Personal and healthcare support These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People receive personal support from staff in the way they prefer and want. Their physical and emotional health needs are met because the home has procedures in place that staff follow. If people take medicine, they manage it themselves if they can. If they cannot manage their medicine, the care home supports them with it in a safe way. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them to feel comfortable and secure. They, and people close to them, are reassured that their death will be handled with sensitivity, dignity and respect, and take account of their spiritual and cultural wishes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Students changing physical and emotional needs are well defined and staff provide support in a sensitive and supportive way. Evidence: The AQAA informed us that the Health Care Team is headed by a Specialist Nurse, who is also a counsellor, and includes another nurse, and two physiotherapists. Occupational therapy (OT) which may be needed for students can be resourced via the NHS. The FCRT has links with Southampton University OT Training Dept and final year OT students come on placement at the FCRT, supervised by a Senior Lecturer in OT. The FCRT Healthcare team provides specialist support when required, and supports individuals to manage their own medical condition according to their ability. Outside agencies / professionals are used as necessary. The group / key worker system provides an additional source of emotional, as well as learning support. Four students records were sampled and there was evidence of assessment of their personal health care needs and strategies for managing them. Medical appointments were recorded. Each plan was personalised and detailed. We saw staff supervising in an encouraging and supportive way when students were showering etc at the end of Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 16 of 29 Evidence: the work period. Daily reports were completed by the staff of significant progress or when guidance/prompts were needed. We were told that three students self medicate and confirmed from the records that this was thoroughly risk assessed and regularly monitored to ensure it was being appropriately completed. The drug cupboard and records for those administered by the staff were also inspected. Some clarification was needed in relation to adjustment of some drug administration that did not appear to be as and when prescribed and changes to controlled drug administration when students move between the centres during the day. The medical authorisation for this was held at the main administration centre at Avon Tyrrell and the FCRT forwarded copies of this within 24 hours for confirmation. We recommended that separate written guidance should be made available for staff when judgment has to be made about administering some medications. This was noted by the senior member of staff on duty, who agreed to implement it. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 17 of 29 Concerns, complaints and protection These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: If people have concerns with their care, they or people close to them, know how to complain. Their concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse, neglect and self-harm and takes action to follow up any allegations. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Students feel they are listened to and their views are heeded. Students are protected from abuse and neglect and as far as possible from self harm. Evidence: The AQAA informed us that all students and parents/guardians are in receipt of the Student, Parents/Guardians Handbook, which outlines the Complaints Procedure. The FCRT has a Safeguarding policy and procedure in place (for Children and Adults) and a named Safeguarding Officer. We were told that the Centre is currently bringing the procedure up to date by clarifying the timescales within the stages of dealing with a complaint. We inspected the complaints log. It contained numerous entries that could be more appropriately recorded in the staff update records, as they required the taking of action by staff but were not formal complaints. One formal complaint had been made since the last inspection that had required investigation. The matter had eventually gone to a safeguarding strategy meeting with the local Social Services office and has been brought to conclusion with no further action. There has been a number of safeguarding matters raised that have involved the local Social Services team. The FCRT are routinely sending notifications about incidents to the CSCI within the required timescale and also to the Local Authority when decisions Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 18 of 29 Evidence: are reached about the need for a strategy meeting. The AQAA informed us that the group/transition guide system followed by the FCRT and the multi-disciplinary staff working alongside students give them the confidence to communicate their fears/concerns. All students indicated in their survey responses that they knew who to talk with if they were unhappy about anything and ten out of thirteen students said they knew how to make a complaint. Those spoken with on the day of the inspection also said the staff are OK here. I can talk to them. One said the staff will support me and help me with my problems and are honest when I cause problems with other students. Another nodded readily when asked if they felt comfortable about sharing any worry they may have with the staff team. One gave us an example of an occasion when they felt they were being bullied by another student. We were told they had spoken with a staff member who took it seriously. They had been supported and the bullying had stopped. They were no longer worried about it. We confirmed with the senior member of staff and from four staff records we sampled that staff all receive training in adult protection and whistleblowing. Two members of staff were spoken with in private and they confirmed their familiarity with the procedure for student protection and expressed clear values in relation to whistleblowing. One example was given of a member of staff highlighting an issue of concern and the action taken as a result of the communication. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 19 of 29 Environment These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People stay in a safe and well-maintained home that is homely, clean, comfortable, pleasant and hygienic. People stay in a home that has enough space and facilities for them to lead the life they choose and to meet their needs. The home makes sure they have the right specialist equipment that encourages and promotes their independence. Their room feels like their own, it is comfortable and they feel safe when they use it. People have enough privacy when using toilets and bathrooms. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Students live in a comfortable, though at times crowded environment. The accommodation is fit for purpose and meets the collective needs of the students during the term times. Improved outcomes for some students could be achieved by resolving the poor nature of the showers in part of the FCRT. Evidence: The AQAA confirmed that all the rooms used at Wootton Hall farm are fit for purpose. Since the last inspection the Grain Loft area has been completely refurbished, new chairs have been provided where needed and a new digibox provided for students use. The AQAA detailed the regular maintenance of equipment. We undertook a partial tour of the premises including three bedrooms by student invitation, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, lounge, dining room, drug room. We noted that the bedrooms are personalised by the student. One student sharing a double room was pleased to have someone to share with that she got on well with, and another in a single room was very pleased to have a room to herself. We noted that the radiators in bedrooms were not all low surface temperature or protected. We were told that rooms had not been specifically risk assessed for individual student occupation, but that now it had been noted, the matter would be reviewed promptly. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 20 of 29 Evidence: We also noted that portable electrical appliances had not been checked since 2007. As this is an annual requirement the senior member of staff agreed to process this urgently. In one room our attention was drawn to the potential lack of privacy for a student on exiting the shower which is positioned in direct line of vision with the doorway. This bedroom leads directly on to the student day area, a very public place and we recommended that some form of screening/curtains should be fitted to separate the ensuite area. Comments made by students in the confidential surveys indicate a 90 agreement that the accommodation is always fresh and clean. However other comments include, the water is sometimes cold. The showers dont work very well the showers are horrible and cold, the temperatures on showers are a bit weird, showers are a bit manky. We saw that the house has a maintenance book where minor matters are recorded that need attention. Each entry is dated, and dated again on completion. We noted that routine matters are attended to quickly. We noted in the television lounge that there were only 18 chairs for students to use, which would be insufficient for all the students. When this was queried we were told by a staff member they like sitting on the floor. Students nodded agreement with this. We spoke with the member of staff with responsibility for the laundry. She informed us that she works with three washing machines, one having an integral sluice, two spin dryers and three tumble dryers. The laundry also has a sluice. Mending/repairs are done by a volunteer for a token cost to the students. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 21 of 29 Staffing These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have safe and appropriate support as there are enough competent, qualified staff on duty at all times. They have confidence in the staff at the home because checks have been done to make sure that they are suitable. People’s needs are met and they are supported because staff get the right training, supervision and support they need from their managers. People are supported by an effective staff team who understand and do what is expected of them. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The students are supported by competent and caring staff. They are protected by the FCRTs recruitment policy and practices. The students benefit from a staff team structure and system that supervises and supports staff in their roles. Evidence: We noted from the AQAA that the FCRT employs 86 staff in total and potentially 59 staff involved in care can be rostered on a shift at the Wootton Hall Farm. The students engage with all the staff during the day at the two daytime centres and over their first and second years at the FCRT. From the thirteen surveys returned five of the students said that the staff always treat them well, and five said they sometimes do. Three said sometimes. Five students said the staff always listen and act on what they say, and five said they usually do, and three said they sometimes do. We inspected four staff records and spoke privately with three of the staff, and the registered manager and personnel officer. Records are maintained of all recruitment checks, including references, ID information, supervision and police checks. One reference was missing from a file and this was drawn to the staffs attention to follow up. We noted that the check made through the CRB is relevant for staff working with Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 22 of 29 Evidence: adults and recommend that this should be adjusted as the home is registered to admit those from 15 years of age for assessments. The AQAA confirmed that having a dedicated personnel department enables FCRT to maintain standards and grow strengths in this area. Training is carried out regularly and a planned training budget enables a full programme of internal and external training events to run throughout the year. Training is targeted towards staff understanding the needs of the students and the implications and requirements of their specific Learning difficulties and Disabilities. Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity training takes place on a regular basis. We were told that all new staff who have contact with the students undertake and complete the Learning Disability Qualification within their 6 month Induction period. Appropriate staff then undertake the NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care. Subsequent to the inspection we received a breakdown of training courses that named staff had attended. Achievement has been made in training staff in equine issues and general care and health and safety, including protection from abuse, safeguarding, risk assessment, first aid. We noted from the AQAA that only 9 of staff had achieved equivalent of National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 2 when the Standards anticipate 50 . We were told that new staff are encouraged to learn from observing and assisting experienced staff. Staff have their own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio, which they are encouraged to keep up to date with records of training and conferences attended and qualifications obtained. Staff training and development requirements are identified through Session Observations and Supervisions. Confidential surveys received from three staff indicated a general level of discontent with the induction process, scoring a total of 5 out of a possible 15. Staff surveys also indicated that although training was relevant it did not keep them up-todate with new ways of working, and it did not always meet individual needs. When this was pursued during the inspection with the staff on duty we were able to confirm that the process of induction during recent months was very good, spread over two weeks with ample opportunity to observe experienced staff and develop confidence with the service user group and functionality of the centre before it was expected anyone would take responsibility on shift. Two surveys stated that there was sometimes enough staff on duty to meet the students needs and one stated never enough. The staff on duty during the inspection varied from not having enough staff to cover the shifts that are more demanding, to generally OK. Comments include, the service is trying to tailor individual needs to the students but lack of staff can cause a problem, and the long hours we work tend to make it impossible to catch up on staff updates and all relevant information, lack of breaks away from students means you are unable to catch up on information. In regard to induction I had less than a week-there have been improvements, Sometimes irrelevant training is made compulsory. Older longstanding staff tend to get overlooked for training. We saw from the staff records that supervision is organised, in some cases each term, with an annual appraisal. The staff spoken with said there is an open culture at the centre where they can consult, Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 23 of 29 Evidence: reflect on practice and bring up matters in staff council or/and with immediate line managers. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 24 of 29 Conduct and management of the home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have confidence in the care home because it is run and managed appropriately. People’s opinions are central to how the home develops and reviews their practice, as the home has appropriate ways of making sure they continue to get things right. The environment is safe for people and staff because health and safety practices are carried out. People get the right support from the care home because the manager runs it appropriately, with an open approach that makes them feel valued and respected. They are safeguarded because the home follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and makes sure staff understand the way things should be done. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The health and safety of students living at Wootton Hall Farm is promoted. Although the FCRT is generally well run, students would benefit from a higher level of commitment in management from someone who could prioritise the issues needing attention at Wootton Hall Farm. Evidence: The day to day manager of Wootton Hall Farm has been registered manager for several years and is experienced in the field of management and learning disability. She also functions as manager of two other residential establishments, all three separated from each other by a few miles. We were told that in addition she has developed a wider responsibility within the educational field and as a result has some time constraints in the day to day residential management. The FCRT has recognised this situation requires some resolution and a trial period of six months has been offered to another Senior Officer to assess her performance in this role. This Officer assisted throughout the inspection. However, the Registered Manager attended in part Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 25 of 29 Evidence: and private discussion about the conduct of the home took place with her. The AQAA informed us that internal audits are conducted by the FCRT and an annual review is completed that defines the centres objectives and goals for the following period. The AQAA identified plans to provide second year students with opportunities to live in the smaller houses for short periods of time, and to promote grounds maintenance to a higher standard. A larger enclosed area is required to store the refuse bins, which will be in the budget for 2009/2010. We were told that the students views are fed into the planning process but the home has not yet formally published the results of student and stakeholder surveys that are required to be a component of the Service User Guide. The AQAA also provided information on the review of the FCRTs policies and procedures regarding health and safety and the servicing and maintenance of the centres fixed equipment. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 26 of 29 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R Outstanding statutory requirements These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 27 of 29 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection: Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service. No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 28 of 29 Helpline: Telephone: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone: 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. 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