Cambria House

Updated 17 June 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The Inspection was carried out by one inspector with the support of an Expert by Experience.

An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Cambria House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or 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

This inspection was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager and the manager, we requested a number of documents relating the quality and safety of the service including records relating to staff recruitment. People were unable to provide feedback because they were not all available.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records, and incident and accident records relating to behaviours that challenged others. We looked at staff recruitment records, staff supervision and training records including their induction. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also viewed. We contacted five relatives and four external professionals to obtain feedback about the quality of care provided.

Updated 17 June 2021

Cambria House is a residential care home for eight people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders. At the time of the inspection, seven people were living at the home. Accommodation is provided within a large detached house with communal areas, lounge, dining room and kitchen with a secure garden to the rear of the property and is located close to the town centre of Winchester. The service is not registered to provide nursing care.

There was not a registered manager in post. The previous registered manager had left the service the week before this inspection. The service had engaged a new manager and their application to become registered manager for this service was being processed by the Care Quality Commission. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good.

There was a strong emphasis on enabling people to live their lives to the full and to be fully involved in all aspects of the care and support they received.

People had excellent community links and regularly enjoyed trips to the theatre, cinema, pubs and other local services. They were able to follow their own interests and hobbies and enjoy an active social life.

The service had taken appropriate steps to protect people from the risk of abuse, neglect or harassment.

People received their medicines safely. People’s medicines were reviewed regularly by their GP and specialist health care providers.

People had access to health care and staff ensured that they saw specialists. For example, consultants, occupational therapists, dieticians, dentists and opticians.

There were enough suitable staff deployed to meet people’s needs.

People's needs were assessed and care plans in place. People received appropriate care and support because care plans were detailed and responsive to their needs.

Risk assessments were carried out to enable people to retain their independence and receive care with minimum risk to themselves or others.

Accidents and incidents were monitored and analysed and action taken to reduce risks.

Staff received induction, training and supervision that helped them to deliver good levels of care and support. Staff were trained in principles of care in relation to people living with a learning disability and specialised care of people who also lived with a physical disability.

People were supported to eat and drink according to their likes and dislikes.

Consent was sought, where possible. The service followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. 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.

Staff displayed a caring attitude and were affectionate, empathic and kind. People in the service responded warmly to them. Staff understood how to support people to maintain their dignity and privacy.

People received care and support which ensured they were able to make choices about their day to day lives.

People were supported to engage in activity programmes both in the home and in the community.

People knew how to complain and there were a range of opportunities for them to raise concerns with the registered manager and designated staff.