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Summary of report content

Healthwatch Cheshire West conducted an announced enter and view visit to Bank Hall Farm, a residential home providing support to people with mental health needs, Autism and Learning Disabilities, on 4 March 2014. The Home has 6 male residents all in the main residence, with their own ensuite rooms and one female resident in a self contained bungalow situated on the site. The Enter and View Authorised Representatives noted that, although the visit had been arranged and announced, it appeared that they were not expected by staff or residents. The report notes that interaction with residents was limited as residents either had communication problems and/or severe difficulty in holding their concentration. Staff were of different ages and experience and appeared open and honest and the Authorised Representatives felt that they appeared to seem supportive to those in their care. However, at the time of the visit, Authorised Representatives did not feel that activity and facilities matched those as advertised on the website and that more could be done to encourage independence. Residents were not allowed in to the kitchen and were not encouraged to help with even small chores such as pouring drinks or helping with laundry. The Home has a mini bus which can be used for outings, however the report notes that if the female resident went out using the mini-bus, any male residents could not go on the same journey, as she had to be on her own. When the visiting team asked staff about the activities advertised on the Home's website, staff were unaware of these, for example the Delamere Forest volunteering experience, but staff advised that one resident does a 30 minute work experience at a local Post Office. The recommendations made in the report address the disconnect between what the Home advertises and what it actually delivers, including encouraging the Home to include residents in daily household tasks to support independence. There is no provider response included within the report, although there is a suggestion that this Home would be revisited within a 6 month timeframe.

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