Cocklebury Farnhouse is a care home providing support for 10 adults with learning disabilities and complex needs. 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.

At our last inspection we rated the service Outstanding. At this inspection we found that the service remained Outstanding. The report is in a shorter format as the service has remained Outstanding.

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People using the service received outstanding care and support. Staff often went above and beyond the expectations of their role to enhance the quality of people’s lives. People were given opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities tailored to individual likes and preferences. This contributed positively to managing people’s complex needs and behaviours. The registered manager told us how keeping people engaged in activities significantly reduced incidences of challenging behaviours. Staff understood people’s needs extremely well and had built strong relationships. This built a strong family atmosphere within the service.

People were safe. Careful consideration was given to the use of restraint. Restraint was only used when absolutely necessary for the safety of the person or other people in the service. Any incidences were recorded so that there was transparency and learning could take place. People received safe support with their medicines and had risk assessments in place to provide safe support.

People received support to ensure their health needs were met and had enough to eat and drink. People were involved in planning their menus.

The service was well led. Staff were without exception positive about the leadership of the home and support they received. Staff ideas were listened to and staff felt able to raise their ideas and give their opinions.

This inspection took place on the 20 April 2015. Cocklebury Farmhouse is one of three homes belonging to the provider, Cocklebury Farmhouse Homes Limited. Cocklebury Farmhouse provides accommodation and care for adults who have a learning disability, mental health or more complex needs. The home offers support for people who have previously experienced difficulties in being able to live within a community environment. Therefore, care is generally provided for a long-term period and this benefits people who require higher levels of guidance and support.

The service had a registered manager who was responsible for the day to day operation of the home. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager was present on the day of the inspection.

Cocklebury Farmhouse is registered to provide care and support for up to ten people. People and their families praised the staff and registered manager for the kindness and the support given to people and families alike. People had developed caring relationships with staff and were treated with dignity and respect. People had been supported to become as independent as they were able to be. People told us they enjoyed a ‘happy’ life and staff and relatives told us they thought people had a high quality of life.

People’s rights were recognised, respected and promoted. Staff were knowledgeable about the rights of people to make their own choices. This was reflected in the way the care plans were written and the way in which staff supported and encouraged people to make decisions when delivering care and support.

The care records demonstrated that people’s care needs had been assessed and considered their emotional, health and social care needs. People’s care needs were regularly reviewed to ensure they received appropriate and safe care, particularly if their care needs changed. Staff worked closely with health and social care professionals for guidance and support around people’s care needs.

Staff had received training in how to recognise and report abuse. There was an open and transparent culture in the home and all staff were clear about how to report any concerns they had. Staff were confident that the registered manager would respond appropriately. People we spoke with knew how to make a complaint if they were not satisfied with the service they received.

There were systems in place to ensure that staff received appropriate support, guidance and training through supervision and an annual appraisal. Staff received training which was considered mandatory by the provider and in addition, more specific training based upon people’s needs.