The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Cashel Cottage

39 Raffin Lane, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 5HJ (01672) 562002

Provided and run by:
Mrs Jane Abbott

All Inspections

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

We did not speak to people using the service during this desk top review. At our last inspection on 21 May 2013, we stated improvements were needed in relation to supporting workers. We identified staff were not receiving appropriate training, supervision and appraisal to enable them to deliver care to people safely and to an appropriate standard. The provider sent us an action plan which described how they planned to meet the compliance action. This included prioritising training in line with people's needs and staff development. The provider told us staff would receive regular formal supervision and attend regular team meetings.

21 May 2013

During a routine inspection

Cashel Cottage is one of four care homes for people with a learning disability provided by Valued Lives in and around Pewsey, all of which share many systems of working.

We weren't able to speak with all of the people living at the home, because some people were unable to vocalise. We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people using the service. For example we observed interactions between staff and people who used the service.

We met and spoke with staff on duty about the care they provided, their training and the support they received. We saw people were relaxed in the company of staff. We noted staff interacted positively with people during our visit. Staff spent time assisting people with activities.

We met with the three staff on duty and a manager from Valued Lives. They told us the people living at the home had been there for many years. Staff said this had enabled them to have a good knowledge of people's needs.

We looked at three care plans, risk assessments, daily records and health records. We saw they had all recently been reviewed and updated.

Where input from other health professionals had been required we saw referrals had been made.

Staff did not receive regular formal supervision. Training was not monitored to ensure staff received refresher training as necessary.

We saw the provider had improved systems to monitor the service monthly and this was used to inform the local authorities.

1 May 2012

During a routine inspection

Cashel Cottage is one of five care homes in and around Pewsey, all of which share many systems of working. We therefore decided to review the five services together and this report will include reference to evidence gained from all of them.

We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people using the service, because some of the people using the services had complex needs which meant they were not able to tell us their experiences.

We spoke to the relatives of two people who told us 'they have my relative's best interests at heart' and 'my relative seems quite happy'.

We looked at satisfaction surveys completed by people using the service and their supporters. Comments included 'very helpful and friendly' and 'I am happy that my relative is in your care'.

One person described a member of staff as 'a good bloke'.

We saw people looked relaxed and comfortable in the presence of the care staff. We observed people were clean and well presented. People could make choices about what they ate, clothes they wore and where they wished to spend their time.

We noted various activities took place both within and outside the home; people could choose to join in or not.

25 May 2011

During a routine inspection

Some people that live in Valued Lives homes are unable to communicate verbally, so we could not gain everyone's views on how they experience the service. However, we were able to observe that people appeared relaxed, both in the physical environment and in their relationships with support staff. People that we did speak with were positive about their experiences. They conveyed a sense of belonging. People showed us examples of how they followed their interests and hobbies. They told us they got up and went to bed when they chose. They went on holidays and on local shopping trips and country walks. They spent their money as they chose. People were involved in deciding what to eat and they enjoyed their meals. Personal and shared rooms had a 'lived in' feel, reflecting the personalities of the people in the home.

Most of the staff have worked a long time for Valued Lives, and most people living there have done so for several years, so staff have a good knowledge of people's needs including communication styles. A newer staff member described how they had been introduced to all parts of Valued Lives services and were able to gradually take on responsibilities as they worked through a structured induction and gained confidence. We saw that the service worked with professionals from other services to increase staff understanding and competence to support people with varied individual needs.