Background to this inspection
Updated
17 May 2019
The inspection:
We carried out our inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. Our inspection checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team:
Our inspection was completed by one inspector.
Service and service type:
Candover House is a care home. People in care homes received accommodation and personal care as a 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 had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection:
Our inspection was unannounced. This meant staff did not know we were visiting.
What we did:
• Our inspection was informed by evidence we already held about the service such as notifications. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We also checked feedback we received from members of the public and local authorities.
• We asked the service to complete a Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
• During the inspection we spoke with one person using the service and three relatives. Most of the people were not able to share their experience with us but we observed their interaction with staff.
• We spoke with two care staff and the registered manager.
• We reviewed two people's care records, three staff personnel files, audits and other records about the management of the service.
• We contacted health and social care professionals to request their views about the service.
• We requested additional evidence to be sent to us after our inspection. This was received, and the information was used as part of our inspection.
Updated
17 May 2019
About the service:
Candover House is a residential care home that provides personal care to six people with a learning disability. At the time of the inspection six people were using the service.
People's experience of using this service:
Most of the people who used the service were not able to tell us about their experience, but one person and three relatives we spoke with were positive about the service. Risks to people's health and safety were assessed and staff had guidance on how to manage any identified risks. Adult safeguarding procedures were in place and staff knew how to recognise and report incidents of abuse. Staff recruitment processes were robust which meant that staff employed at the service were checked to ensure they were safe to work with people who used the service. There were enough staff to meet people's needs. The registered manager had systems in place to ensure any errors in medicines were addressed and lessons learnt to avoid similar errors.
People and relatives told us staff had knowledge and skills to meet people's needs. Arrangements were in place to ensure staff received supervision and appraisal. Staff supported people to eat and drink. They also supported people to access healthcare. Staff received induction and training and felt supported by the registered manager. We have made a recommendation about staff supervision.
Staff supported people to live as independently as possible by giving them choices and encouraging them to make decisions about their care.
Staff were kind and caring. Relatives told us they listened to them and communication with the service was good. The service was inclusive, and staff had good awareness about equality, diversity and human rights.
Each person had a care plan which identified their needs and how they wanted staff to support them. People benefitted from a range of activities available to them within and outside the care home. The service’s complaints procedure was available to people and their relatives.
The registered manager carried out a range of audits to ensure the service was running well, and areas of improvements were identified and acted on. Relatives and staff gave positive feedback about the registered manager. The registered manager confirmed that they were developing a new survey questionnaire to enable people and relatives to give feedback anonymously.
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 on 15 September 2016, (report published on 27, October 2016), the service was rated 'Good'.
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection based on their previous inspection rating.
Follow up:
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.