Nash FE College provides specialist college services for people aged 18 to 25, most of whom have profound and multiple learning disabilities. The college is situated in the London borough of Bromley. At the time of this inspection 14 students were residing at two units at the college.

At our last inspection in 18 May 2015 the service was rated Good. The college demonstrated they continued to meet the regulations and fundamental standards. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Students told us they felt safe living at the college. All staff had received training on safeguarding people from abuse. There was a whistle-blowing procedure available and staff said they would use it if they needed to. We observed a good staff presence at the college and staff were attentive to people’s needs. Action was taken to assess any risks to students. Risk assessments included information for staff about action to be taken to minimise the chance of accidents occurring. Medicines were managed appropriately and students were receiving their medicines as prescribed by health care professionals.

Staff had the knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of the students. The registered manager and staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and acted according to this legislation. Students told us they enjoyed the meals provided to them and could choose what they wanted to eat. They were supported to maintain good health and had access to healthcare professionals when required.

Assessments were undertaken to identify student’s care and support needs before they started to attend the college. The relatives of students told us they had been consulted about their loved ones care and support needs. Care and support plans were drawn up ready for the student attending the college. The care plans included detailed information and guidance for staff on how the student’s care and support needs should be met. Students told us their privacy and dignity was respected and there were plenty of activities for them to partake in if they wished to do so. Student’s received co-ordinated care when they graduated from the college. A transition team supported students to consider their next steps when they graduated from the college. The college had a complaints procedure in place. The relatives of students we spoke with told us they were confident their complaints would be listened to.

The college had a registered manager in post. They had managed the service for over a year and they were knowledgeable about the requirements of their role. The college recognised the importance of regularly monitoring the quality of the service. They sought the views of students through weekly meetings and annual satisfaction surveys. Staff told they liked working at the college, they received good support from the registered manager and there was an out of hours on call system in operation that ensured that management support and advice was available to staff when they needed it.

People we spoke with were positive about the care provided at the college and this was reflected in the provider’s May 2013 satisfaction survey. For example, one student we spoke with used symbols to communicate to us they were happy with the care they received. One relative told us they were consulted and “fully involved” in their child’s care and felt that “excellent care” was provided. Another parent told us that the assessment process “went smoothly” and “care was going well”. We also observed positive interactions between students using the service and staff during our inspection.

The provider had suitable arrangements in place to obtain and act in accordance with the consent of students using the service. This included undertaking mental capacity assessments in line with legal requirements. We found that students’ health and social care needs were assessed and regularly reviewed to ensure the delivery of planned care. The provider had suitable arrangements in place to safeguard students from abuse, and to ensure that adequate staffing was in place to meet their individual needs. We saw that people’s records reflected their current care needs and were stored securely. We also followed up a compliance action that we had taken following our inspection on 7 March 2013. We found the provider had made adequate progress in ensuring that suitable arrangements were in place, to assess and monitor the quality of the service provision.

Students we spoke with told us they were happy at the college and we saw that people's individual preferences were taken account of and students were treated with respect and dignity. There were lots of opportunities for students to become involved in the community and their independence was promoted. Student's needs were assessed in detail and care was planned and delivered in line with these needs. Staff at the college collaborated with other professionals and people offering support to students. We found that equipment was maintained and staff were trained to use it. Recruitment procedures were in place to ensure only suitable people worked at the college. The provider took steps to consult with staff, students and their parents about the provision of the service but there was not always an effective system in place to monitor risks to the health, safety and welfare of students.

All the parents responding to the annual questionnaire in 2011 rated the care, therapy and medical services provided by the college to support their son or daughter to learn as outstanding or good. They also rated the college’s support and celebration of the diversity of its students and staff as outstanding or good.

This was an unannounced inspection. At our previous inspection, 29 and 30 September 2014, we found breaches of legal requirements. Some aspects of medicines management were not safe and the provider had failed as required to notify the Care Quality Commission (CQC) about an allegation of abuse.

At this inspection, we saw that the provider had taken prompt and thorough action to address these issues. Medicine management had improved and the provider had notified the CQC of all safeguarding incidents relating to the college since the last inspection.

Nash FE College currently provides specialist college services for 86 students aged 18 to 25, most of whom have profound and multiple learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection 23 students were residing at the college. The college achieved accredited status from The National Autistic Society in May 2014 as a Quality Autism Provision in Continuing Education. They also achieved a rating of Good from Ofsted, March 2013.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

There were appropriate safeguarding adults procedures in place and staff had a clear understanding of these. There were enough staff to meet student’s needs. Appropriate recruitment checks took place before staff started work. There was a whistle-blowing procedure and staff said they would use it if they needed to.

Students had access to a GP and other health care professionals when they needed it. They were being supported to have a balanced diet. Staff had completed training relevant to the needs of students. Managers understood the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and acted according to this legislation.

Students and their relatives were consulted about and involved in developing their care plans.

Care files included detailed information and guidance for staff about how student’s needs should be met. Students and their relatives knew about the college complaints procedure and were confident their complaints would be fully investigated and action taken if necessary.

The provider recognised the importance of regularly monitoring the quality of the service provided to students. They took into account the views of students and their relatives through annual surveys. They carried out unannounced night time and weekend checks to make sure students where receiving appropriate care and support. Staff said they enjoyed working at the college and management support and advice was always available for them when they needed it.