About the service:

Bannister Farm Cottage is care home which provides accommodation for people who require nursing or personal care and living with a learning disability. It is comprised of three en-suite bedrooms within the main house and two self-contained annexes attached to the main building. At the time of our inspection there were four people who lived there permanently and one person who attended each week day and stayed overnight every Monday.

Our last inspection report for this service was published on 01 October 2018 and the rating was 'Inadequate with five breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, in relation to person-centred care, safe care and treatment, safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment, good governance and staffing. We also found one breach of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009, in relation to notification of other incidents.

Following the last inspection, we met with the provider to confirm what they would do and by when to improve all the five key questions to at least good. The provider also wrote to us to tell what action they would take to comply with these regulations. At this inspection, we found that the provider had made considerable improvements and there were no longer breaches of the regulations. However, we found continuing areas for improvement and the service remains 'Requires Improvement'.

This was a scheduled inspection based on the service's previous rating.

People’s experience of using this service:

There had been a reduction in the number of incidents involving use of physical restraint, however there were continuing incidents of assaults against staff. There had been improvements to ensure people were protected against abuse, neglect and discrimination. Risk assessments were in place and incidents were analysed and de-briefs. However, we found some of the debriefs were not robust to aid any learning. We were unable to speak to people using the service due to their limited communication however their relatives were positive and acknowledged that improvements had been made.

Oversight on incidents from the manager had improved but needed to be consistent.

Improvements were required to ensure people were adequately supervised while undertaking chores and activities to prevent risks of injuries and ensure their safety.

There had been improvements to people's records. Records had been re-written and were well organised and checked to make sure they included up to date and accurate information about people's needs. Information from audits, incidents and quality checks were used to drive improvements to the service people received.

People were assisted to have choice and control of their lives.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support in the following ways; promotion of choice and control, independence, inclusion. For example, people's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Improvements had been made to ensure staff were providing effective care for people through person-centred care planning, training and supervision. Consideration had been made for the provision of best practice guidance and support to meet people's individual needs.

There were also good practices within the service and people were treated with compassion and dignity by care staff.

We observed a homely and friendly atmosphere throughout the inspection.

Staff spoke passionately about their roles and wanting to provide quality care.

There was good evidence that equality and diversity had been considered, in particular around those with protected characteristics such as disability, race, culture and religion.

People received personalised care that was responsive to their needs.

Staff knew people well. They had developed good relationships with people. People

We carried out an unannounced inspection at Bannister Farm Cottage on 23 and 25 July and 10 August 2018.

Bannister Farm Cottage 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.

Bannister Farm Cottage is situated in a semi-rural area of Leyland, Lancashire. Accommodation compromises of three en-suite bedrooms within the main house and two self-contained annexes attached to the main building. At the time of our inspection there were four people who lived there permanently and one person who attended each week day and stayed overnight every Monday.

We inspected the home on this occasion in response to concerns being identified in relation to another service operated by the same provider and under the same registered manager. However, at the time of our inspection the registered manager was no longer working for the organisation. 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.

The care service is aware of the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. However, we found on this inspection that the service was failing to deliver these values.

We found that people were not always supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff did not always support them in the least restrictive way possible, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the home.

During this inspection, we found five breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, in relation to person-centred care, safe care and treatment, safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment, good governance and staffing. We also found one breach of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009, in relation to notification of other incidents.

Our last inspection of Bannister Farm Cottage was carried out on 7, 11 and 12 December 2017. At that inspection we rated the service as overall ‘good.’ There were no breaches of the regulations at the time. At this inspection the rating had deteriorated to overall ‘inadequate’.

We have considered what action we will take in relation to these breaches. Following our inspection, we met with representatives of the provider to discuss our concerns and a way forward. The service submitted a robust action plan and have agreed to update and submit this on a weekly basis, until further notice. We have had management review meetings and followed our guidance in the enforcement decision tree.

We have made the decision, based on the level of risk, and engagement by the registered provider to issue requirements to the provider on this occasion, in relation to all breaches identified. However, the overall rating for this service is 'Inadequate' and the service is therefore in 'Special measures'.

Services in special measures will be kept under review and, if we have not taken immediate action to propose to cancel the provider’s registration of the service, will be inspected again within six months.

The expectation is that providers found to have been providing inadequate care should have made significant improvements within this timeframe. If not enough improvement is made within this timeframe so that there is still a rating of inadequate for any key question or overall, we will take action in line with our enforcement procedures to begin the process of pr

This inspection took place on the 7, 11 & 12 December 2017.

Our last inspection of the home was carried out in July 2015. At that inspection we rated the service as good. At this inspection in December 2017 we found the service remained good.

Bannister Farm Cottage provides accommodation for up to five people between the ages of 18-65 with learning disabilities and autism. The home was fully occupied at the time of our inspection with one person coming to the service daily, Monday to Friday, and staying overnight on one of those days. Bannister Farm Cottage is situated in the Longmeanygate area of Leyland, Lancashire and is in a quiet semi-rural area. Accommodation compromises of three en-suite bedrooms within the main house with two self-contained annexes attached to the house.

Bannister Farm Cottage is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. 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.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

There was a registered manager in place at the time of our 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.

The service had systems in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report unsafe care or abusive practices.

Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. These had been kept under review and were relevant to the care provided.

Staff had been recruited safely, appropriately trained and supported. They had skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and social needs.

Medication procedures observed protected people from unsafe management of their medicines. People received their medicines as prescribed and when needed and appropriate records had been completed.

Staffing levels were seen to be sufficient to meet the assessed needs of the people at the home. Staffing had been highlighted by relatives and staff as an issue prior to our inspection but we saw evidence to show that these issues had been resolved. The reasons for the staffing difficulties experienced were discussed with the registered manager and area manager and were out of the control of the service.

We looked around the building and found it had been maintained, was clean and hygienic and a safe place for people to live.

The design of the building and facilities provided were appropriate for the care and support provided and were being further adapted and improved.

Staff we spoke with had a good understanding of protecting and respecting people’s human rights.

The service had information with regards to support from an external advocate should this be required by them.

Various methods of communication were used with people according to their needs and preferences. Some staff we spoke with were not as aware of some people’s needs as we would expect. However via the new care planning process we saw that this was being addressed and all staff would

This inspection took place on the 13 July 2015 and was unannounced. Bannister Farm Cottage had not been inspected previously as it was only registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 August 2014.

Bannister Farm Cottage provides accommodation for up to five people between the ages of 18-65 with learning disabilities and autism. The home was fully occupied at the time of our inspection. Bannister Farm Cottage is situated in the Longmeanygate are of Leyland, Lancashire and is in a quiet semi-rural area. Accommodation compromises of three en-suite bedrooms within the main house with two self-contained annexes attached to the house.

There was a registered manager in place at the time of our 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.

All staff who administered medicines had completed the organisation’s in-house e-learning medicines training, observed senior members of staff completing medicines rounds and had themselves been observed administering a minimum of two medicines rounds prior to being allowed to do so independently.

The service had procedures in place for dealing with allegations of abuse. Staff were able to describe to us what constituted abuse and the action they would take to escalate concerns. Staff members spoken with said they would not hesitate to report any concerns they had about care practices.

We saw that staffing levels were sufficient to meet the complex needs of the five people who lived at Bannister Farm Cottage.

All of the relatives we spoke with told us that they felt the food provided by the home was of a good standard. They said their loved ones received varied, nutritious meals and always had plenty to eat.

The Care Quality Commission is required by law to monitor the operation of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We discussed the requirements of the MCA and the associated DoLS, with the registered manager. The MCA is legislation designed to protect people who are unable to make decisions for themselves and to ensure that any decisions are made in people’s best interests. DoLS are part of this legislation and ensures where someone may be deprived of their liberty, the least restrictive option is taken.

During our inspection we looked at the personnel records of four members of staff. We found that recruitment practices were satisfactory.

During our visit, we spent time in all areas of the home. This helped us to observe the daily routines and gain an insight into how people's care and support was managed. People were relaxed and comfortable with staff.

We asked relatives if they were happy with the care their loved ones received at the home and the staff that provided care and support. We received positive comments from the relatives we spoke with.

Families acted as people’s advocates apart from the one person who had no family involvement. We were told that this person had a social worker who acted as their advocate. We discussed the fact that no-one had an independent advocate and were told that each person had someone independent to the home acting on their behalf and that best interest meetings had taken place for all the people living at Bannister Farm Cottage. However, not all of the relatives we spoke with understood the purpose of an independent advocate. One relative told us, “Advocacy? No, not heard of that.” We have made a recommendation about this.

We saw within people’s care plans that referrals were made to other professionals appropriately in order to promote people’s health and wellbeing. Examples included referrals to dieticians, occupational therapists, and people’s GP’s. Care plans were kept securely, however staff could access them easily if required. We saw that people’s relatives were involved in developing care plans.

We saw that hospital passports were in place for people to enable hospital and medical staff to better understand the needs of people when they required emergency or planned medical treatment.

Relatives we spoke with told us they knew how to raise issues or make complaints.

There were a number of systems in place to enable the provider and registered manager to monitor quality and safety across the service. These included regular audits and quality checks in all aspects of the service. This included medication audits, care plan audits and infection control.

Service contracts were in place, which meant the building and equipment was maintained and a safe place for people living at the home, staff and visitors. We saw service files in place to evidence this, which were well organised and up-to-date.