7 June 2018
During a routine inspection
Cara Linn is a ‘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.
The service accommodates three people in a large, adapted residential property. 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.
The provider is also the registered manager of the service. 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.
The provider operated effective systems to keep people safe. They assessed risks to people using the service and took action to mitigate any they identified. People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. People ate a balanced diet, had enough to eat and drink and were able to access the healthcare services they needed. There were infection control policies and procedures for care staff to refer to and staff had been trained in this area.
The provider carried out checks on new staff to make sure they were suitable to work with people using the service.
The provider assessed people’s care needs and delivered effective care and support to achieve good outcomes for people. Care staff had the training they needed to support people effectively.
The provider obtained people’s consent to the care and support they received and did not restrict people unlawfully.
People using the service, their relatives and health and social care professionals said the registered manager and care staff were kind and caring. People also told us that, as much as possible, care staff supported them to make their own choices and decisions. Care staff demonstrated a good knowledge of each person’s life history, significant people, dates and events.
The individualised and person-centred care and support people received had a positive impact on aspects of their lives. The registered manager and care staff placed people at the centre of their care and supported them to develop and grow in confidence. People’s care plans emphasised what they could do for themselves and where they needed support.
The registered manager was qualified, experienced and committed to providing high quality care and support to people using the service.
The provider involved people using the service, their families, care staff and health and social care professionals in reviewing and improving the service. The provider also had systems and processes to monitor quality in the service and make improvements.