Tarn House

Updated 26 June 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 20 May 2021 and was announced.

Updated 26 June 2021

About the service:

Tarn House provides accommodation and personal care for up to 14 adults who have a learning disability and/or a physical disability. The home provides permanent accommodation for people and short-term respite care.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 14 people. There were 12 people using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the home being arranged as three areas where small groups of people lived, and a one bedroom flat one person could use.

People’s experience of using this service:

People were safe and protected from abuse and avoidable harm. There were enough staff to support people. New staff were checked to ensure they were suitable to work in the home. The staff had completed training in how to support people safely. People were protected from the risk of infection. The registered manager analysed accidents and incidents to ensure lessons were learnt and people were safe.

The principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance ensure people with a learning disability and or autism who use a service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best outcomes that include control, choice and independence. At this inspection the provider had not always or consistently applied them.

The outcomes for people did not fully reflect the principles and values of Registering the Right Support because the design of the building did not promote people’s independence and people could not choose how communal areas of their home were decorated. Some people had also told the registered manager they did not like sharing their home with people attending for short-term respite care. The registered manager was aware of the limitations the building posed. She had taken steps to reduce the impact on people as far as the premises design allowed. She had also audited the service against best practice, including Registering the Right Support, and shared this with the provider for them to consider how the service could be improved.

The staff were competent and skilled to provide people’s care. They completed training to meet people’s needs including training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and how to respect people’s rights. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported to prepare their meals and drinks and to make healthy eating choices. People’s needs were assessed and appropriate services were included in providing their care to ensure they maintained good health.

People were treated with kindness and respect. Despite the limitations posed by the design of the building they were supported to gain independence and skills of daily living. People were asked for their views about their care. The staff knew people well and gave prompt support if they were anxious.

Care was planned and provided to meet people’s needs. People were supported to maintain relationships that were important to them. They followed a range of activities they enjoyed and were active participants in their community. The provider had a procedure for responding to complaints about the service.

People were involved in all aspects of their care and received high-quality, person-centred care that met their needs and promoted their rights. The registered manager was very experienced and aware of her responsibilities. She and the staff were committed to providing people with a high-quality service. People who used the service, their families and staff were asked for their views and their feedback was used to improve the service.

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

Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection the service was rated good (published 6 June 2017).

Why we inspected: We carried out this inspection based on the previous rating of the service.

Follow up: We will continue to review information we receive about the service until we return to visit as part of our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.