Claro Homes

Updated 5 January 2023

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Claro Homes 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. Claro Homes is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included the statutory notifications the provider had sent to CQC. A notification includes information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

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 this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with some people living at the service at length and had briefer interactions with others. In total we spoke to nine people. We spent time observing people in the communal areas of the home to help us understand their experiences.

We spoke with seven members of staff, including the manager, deputy manager, quality assurance lead and a range of staff.

We viewed records and documents. This included four people’s care records and medicine records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We checked a variety of records relating to the management of the service. This included policies and procedures, quality assurance and health and safety documents.

We received feedback from five professionals who had regular contact with the service. We considered this information to help us to make a judgement about the service. The views of everyone we spoke with have been incorporated into this report.

Updated 5 January 2023

About the service

Claro Homes is a care home providing accommodation, personal and nursing care to up to 54 people. The service provides support to people with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 52 people living at the service.

The service is divided into different units, including one area for females only. There are communal areas and a newly developed garden courtyard, all of which can be accessed by anyone.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were kept safe from avoidable harm because staff knew them well and understood how to protect them from abuse. Staff had received training and knew how to apply it. They worked with a range of other professionals to safeguard people.

Staff assessed, monitored and managed safety as far as possible to protect people and minimise risk. 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 were assured that people were protected by the prevention and control of infection, although some areas of the service required refurbishment or repair to reduce potential risks. A plan was in place to carry out improvements and refurbish some areas.

People were supported to take their medicines safely and as prescribed. Staff who helped people take medicines had been trained to do so. Staff knew people well and understood their health and wellbeing needs. There was regular communication with other professionals and referrals were made to specialist services as required.

The numbers and skills of staff met the needs of people using the service. Staff knew people well and were able to consider their individual needs, wishes and goals. Safe recruitment practices were in place.

There was a positive culture where staff felt valued and were able to support people to develop and achieve their potential in individual ways. Staff applied the provider’s values in their practice.

The management team were visible and led by example. They had a good oversight of the service and responded to people’s changing needs. Governance processes were effective and helped improve standards to ensure high quality care and support was provided. The provider sought feedback from people and others who supported them. The management team were open and responsive to feedback.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 07 December 2017).

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to the safe care of people at the service. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from the concerns we had received.

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.

The overall rating for the service remains good based on the findings of this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Claro Homes on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.