Archived: Tremona Care Home

The service provides accommodation and support for two people, who live as part of the provider’s family. The service is intended for younger adults with a learning disability.

The service had a registered manager. At this service the registered manager was also the registered provider and main carer. No other staff were employed. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of the inspection the service was not fully meeting its requirements in relation to protecting people’s human rights, where people lacked the mental capacity to make certain decisions about their care and welfare.

People at the home lived as part of the provider’s family, and were encouraged to participate in the running of the household and family events and activities. One person told us, “I do like living here”.

People were supported to be independent and make decisions for themselves as far as possible. They chose what clothes they wanted to wear and how they wanted to spend their time. The provider ensured important information was shared in a way that was meaningful to people with communication and literacy difficulties. This meant they could make informed decisions about aspects of their care, and provide feedback about the quality of the support provided.

People participated in a wide range of activities, both at home and in the community, which helped them to maintain their fitness as well as develop other skills and interests.

Care and support was provided in line with care plans. Risks were assessed and managed effectively, which meant that people were safe. People’s nutrition and health needs were met with the support of the provider, who encouraged healthy food choices and ensured that all health appointments were attended.

People’s privacy was respected and they were treated with dignity and kindness.

The provider worked in partnership with the other agencies that supported the people living at the home, to ensure they had a shared understanding of their needs and the care provided was consistent. They were committed to maintaining their own skills and knowledge through ongoing training.

We found a breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.

They talked to us about the various ways in which they spent their time, being due to go swimming later in the day. Their care records showed they were supported to enjoy various interests and activities, including dancing, favourite TV programmes and bowling. They also spoke about people important to them, these mainly being friends and enablers who supported them in activities in the community.

The provider was present for our visit, being the main carer at the home. We found that staffing arrangements were sufficient to meet people's needs.

People were involved in making decisions about their daily care and routine, receiving individualised support. Before they received any care they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes.

Care was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. For example, their independence and individuality was promoted whilst minimising associated risks. Individuals' health needs were attended to, such as through their diet, health checks and being cared for in a clean environment.

People were protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care because appropriate records were maintained. As examples, they had up to date care plans, and records were kept to ensure timely maintenance checks were carried out.

They talked to us about their daily lives and about health appointments. Their care records showed they had a varied, healthy diet. They were supported to enjoy their interests such as colouring and gardening, with a vegetable plot created in the garden. One person showed us jewellery they were wearing which they made at a craft session at the home. Their independence, rights and dignity were respected. During our visit, both spent time around the home, finding jobs to do such as their laundry and emptying the dishwasher.

People were part of the local community through activities they were supported to enjoy and by living in a family home. They told us a picnic was planned, and showed us photographs of themselves horse riding and at day centres.

They were protected by the provider's actions to safeguard them at the home and in the community. These included the provider having training or updating so as to provide support safely and well, and through risk assessments. Systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service, with evidence that people's views and experiences were regularly taken into account to influence and improve the service they received.