On the day of our visit we were told that there were ten people living at Burrough Farm. One person was not present due to being on holiday visiting their sister. We spoke to nine people living at the home, spent time observing the care people were receiving, spoke to four members of staff, which included the deputy manager, and looked at three people’s care files in detail.

We spent time talking with people living at the home and observing how people were encouraged to maintain their independence and be involved in their care. People we spoke with felt happy living at Burrough Farm. Comments included: “It’s lovely here. I live with all my friends. We do all sorts here, we go to clubs, have BBQ’s, go for picnics and ice creams.”

During our visit, we saw that people appeared relaxed and contented. For example, when we arrived people were getting ready for the day and a person was helping to bake fruit tarts with a member of staff.

We spoke with staff about their understanding of what constituted abuse and how to raise concerns. They demonstrated a good understanding of what kinds of things might constitute abuse, and knew where they should go to report any suspicions they may have.

The home ensured that health and safety checks were completed by the relevant authorities on an on-going basis.

Care records were stored securely in order to protect people’s confidentiality.

An unannounced inspection was completed at this service on 14 and 17 August 2015. Credence Care limited is registered to provider accommodation and support for up to 10 people at Burrough Farm and also provides personal care to people in their own home in the Bideford area. The service provides this support to people with learning disabilities.

A registered manager was in post who is also part of the limited company who runs the service. 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 2014 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. DoLS are put in place to protect people where they do not have capacity to make decisions and where it is considered necessary to restrict their freedom in some way, usually to protect themselves or others. At the time of the inspection, applications had been made to the local authority in relation to people who lived at the service. The registered manager told us these were waiting to be approved.

People said they felt safe and well cared for. Staff knew people’s needs and preferences and had the right training and support to enable them to deliver care safely and effectively. Care and support was being well planned and any risks were identified and actions put in place to minimise these.

People were offered a variety of activities and outings and their human rights was respected promoted. People had opportunities to access the local community.

Healthcare professionals said people’s healthcare needs were being well met and the staff team were proactive in seeking advice in a timely way to ensure this.

There were enough staff available both at the home and to provide personal care for people in their own home. People spoke highly about the staff group who supported them and we observed care and support being delivered in a kind and compassionate way. Relatives who we spoke with confirmed their views were considered and they were kept informed of any changes in people’s needs and wishes.

Staff knew how to protect people from potential risk of harm and who they should report any concerns to. They also understood how to ensure people’s human rights were being considered and how to work in a way which respected people’s diversity.

The provider ensured the home was safe and that audits were used to review the quality of care and support being provided, taking into consideration the views of people using the service and the staff working there.

The ethos and culture of the service as to promote independence for as long as possible and ensure people were given choices in all aspects of their daily lives.