Carolann House

Updated 25 June 2024

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

This was a targeted inspection to check on a concern we had about safeguarding procedures and how people were treated.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Carolann House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Carolann House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

However, during the inspection it was established that Carolann House was not carrying out a service that is regulated by CQC. This is because the provider was wholly supporting children and therefore any care and accommodation is not within the remit of CQC.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

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. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 3 children who used the service. We spoke with 7 members of staff including the nominated individual, registered manager, senior carers and care workers. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We reviewed a range of records including safeguarding records and incident documentation.

Updated 25 June 2024

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.