Cartref House

Updated 28 June 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check 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 17 May 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection visit was carried out by one inspector and one expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

We used information we held about the service and the provider to assist us to plan the inspection. This included notifications the provider had sent to us about significant events at the service. We also used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During our inspection we spoke with five people about what it was like to live at the home. After the inspection, we spoke with one relative over the telephone to gain their feedback on the service. We spoke with four staff members which included the registered manager, deputy manager and support workers. We spent time observing how people's care and support was delivered in communal areas and observed the dining experience at lunchtime.

We looked at three people’s records to see how their care and treatment was planned and delivered. We reviewed two staff files to check staff were recruited safely and were trained to deliver the care and support people required. We also looked at records relating to the running of the service including staff training records, quality assurance audits, complaints, accidents and incident records.

We contacted health and social care professionals including Healthwatch to obtain feedback about their experience of the service. There is a local Healthwatch in every area of England. They are independent organisations who listen to people’s views and share them with those with the power to make local services better. We did not receive any information of concern.

We asked the registered manager to send additional information after the inspection visit. The information we requested was sent to CQC in a timely manner.

Updated 28 June 2018

The inspection took place on 17 May 2018 and was unannounced.

Cartref House is care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Cartref House provides accommodation and or personal care for up to six people with a learning disability, physical and sensory needs, including autistic spectrum disorder. The accommodation is provided in a three-storey house with access to garden areas. At the time of our inspection six people were living at the home.

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 on 15 March 2016, we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

There was a registered manager in post. 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 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

People continued to receive safe care; risks associated with people's care and support were managed safely and relatives were confident their family members were safe and well cared for.

There were systems in place to keep people safe from abuse or harm.

People received their medicines when needed and there were suitable arrangements in place in relation to the safe administration, recording and storage of medicines.

There were sufficient numbers of staff to support people safely. There were suitable arrangements to prevent and control infection.

People continued to be effectively supported by staff who were trained and supported to meet their specific needs.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People had sufficient amounts to eat and drink and were supported to access other health professionals to manage their day to day health needs.

People were supported to live healthier lives by having suitable access to healthcare services so that they received on-going healthcare support.

The accommodation was designed, adapted and decorated to meet people's needs and expectations.

People’s needs continued to be met by staff who were kind and respectful. People's privacy and dignity were promoted at all times.

Staff encouraged people to undertake activities and supported them to become more independent. Staff spent time engaging people in conversations, and spoke to them politely and respectfully.

The service was responsive to people’s communication needs in a person-centred way.

People's care plans contained information about their personal preferences and focussed on individual needs. People and those closest to them were involved in regular reviews to ensure the support provided continued to meet their needs.

Staff were supported through supervision and meetings which took place on a regular basis. Staff said they felt supported by the registered manager.

People's feedback was sought and used to improve the care provided.

There was an accessible complaints policy in place and people knew how to make a complaint.

The registered manager and provider regularly assessed and monitored the quality of care to ensure standards were met and maintained.

The registered manager understood the requirements of their registration with CQC.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.