Archived: Cartref Residential Care Home

Updated 15 December 2014

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 1 & 2 October 2014 and was unannounced.

The inspection team consisted of two inspectors. Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the home and contacted the local authority, infection control, the fire authority and Healthwatch. We usually send the provider a Provider Information Return (PIR) before the inspection. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We had not sent a PIR to the provider before this inspection.

We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people who lived in the home. We spoke with all the people who were living in the home, three care staff and the registered manager.

We looked at four people’s care records, four staff files and the training matrix as well as records relating to the management of the service. We looked round the building and saw people’s bedrooms (with their permission), bathrooms and communal areas.

Updated 15 December 2014

This inspection took place on 1 & 2 October 2014 and was unannounced.  At the last inspection in May 2014 enforcement action was taken due to breaches in regulations which related to respecting and involving people, care and welfare, safeguarding, staffing, safety and suitability of the premises and quality assurance. As a result of safeguarding concerns the local authority suspended placements with this home and the suspension was in place when we visited. At this inspection we found improvements had been made to meet the relevant requirements.

Cartref is a small home that provides personal care for up to six people with learning disabilities.  On the day of our inspection there were three people living in the home. Accommodation is provided in single bedrooms, one of which has ensuite facilities. There is a lounge, sun room, kitchen and laundry as well as bathroom, shower and toilet facilities. There is a garden and a greenhouse to the rear of the property.

The home had a registered manager who was also the registered provider. 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.

People were safe as staff supported people so that risks were managed with minimal restrictions. Staff had received safeguarding training and knew how to identify and report abuse. Staffing levels meant people’s needs were met, however we recommend more staff are employed so people can access more opportunities in the community. People received their medicines when they needed them.

No-one at the home was subject to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff lacked understanding of, and had not been trained in, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, although training was planned for November 2014.

Robust recruitment processes were followed and staff received the induction and training they required to meet people’s needs. People’s nutritional needs were met and they received the health care support they required.

Staff had developed good relationships with people and were kind and caring. People were given choices and their privacy and dignity was respected.

Staff responded to people’s needs and ensured they received the care they needed. However, care plans required further development to make sure people’s preferences and choices were fully reflected. We recommend that the home considers relevant guidance on person-centred care planning for people with learning disabilities.

Leadership and management of the home had improved and the culture was more open. However, these improvements need to be sustained and developed further to ensure people receive high quality care. We recommend that the home explores the relevant guidance on providing high quality care for people with learning disabilities.

You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.