Carolann House

Updated 15 February 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection as carried out by one adult social care inspector and one children’s inspector.

Service and service type

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

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the nominated individual, registered manager, quality assurance manager, senior carers and care workers. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also spoke with a health professional.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at observation records, physical intervention records, quality monitoring audits and notes from key worker sessions.

Updated 15 February 2022

About the service

Carolann House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for three children at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to four people.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Systems and processes for safeguarding and whistleblowing were in place and understood by staff. People had risk assessments in place and told us they felt safe in the service. We found sufficient staff on duty to meet the needs and preferences of people. People’s medicines were safely managed, and they received their prescribed medicines timely and supportively. Current government guidance for infection control was being followed.

People's needs were assessed, and they had choice in their daily lives. Staff received an induction and training specific to the needs of people. People were supported to eat and drink a range of foods in an environment specific to their needs.

People were supported to be independent where possible and supported to communicate effectively. People’s privacy and dignity was promoted by staff who understood people’s needs.

Care was planned and person centred, people were supported to communicate effectively and maintain relationships with family. There was a clear complaints procedure in place to address complaints when received.

There were clear roles, and these were understood by staff and managment. There was oversight of care and support in place for people to express their views and be involved in the care they received.

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

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. The model of care maximises people’s choice, control and independence. Care was person-centred and promotes people’s dignity. The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 08/06/2021 and this is the first five key question inspection.

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to the provider delivering care to children outside their registration conditions. As a result, we undertook a full comprehensive inspection to assess whether people were receiving safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.