The Retreat

Updated 26 March 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 11 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 26 March 2021

The Retreat 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 Retreat can accommodate up to 14 people who have a learning disability, a mental health condition and/or dementia. At the time of our inspection 13 people were living there. People living at The Retreat had their own bedrooms, some with en suite facilities and had access to a shower and bathroom. They shared a lounge and a dining room. The grounds around the property were accessible. A shed in the garden had been provided for the use of one person living there.

The Retreat had been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support, Building the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service lived as ordinary a life as any citizen.

This inspection took place on 19 February 2019. At the last comprehensive inspection in October 2016 the service was rated as Good overall. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last 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.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People’s care and support was individualised, reflecting their personal wishes, routines and lifestyle choices. They were treated with kindness and sensitivity. They had positive relationships with staff, who understood them well. Staff knew how to keep people safe and how to raise safeguarding concerns. Risks were assessed and encouraged people’s independence. Staff understood and respected people’s diverse needs. When people became anxious staff provided reassurance and supported them to manage their emotions.

People were supported by enough staff to meet their needs. Staff recruitment and selection procedures were satisfactory with the necessary checks being completed prior to employment. Staff were supported to develop the skills and knowledge they needed through a range of training and individual support sessions.

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. They made choices about their day to day lives. People and those important to them were involved in the planning and review of their care and support. They chose the activities they wish to take part in. People went carriage riding, used local transport, and went on day trips, to social clubs and to day centres. People were supported to keep in touch with relatives, friends and those important to them..

People’s preferred forms of communication were recognised. Staff were observed effectively communicating with people, taking time to engage with them. Good use was made of easy to read information which used photographs and pictures to illustrate the text. People had access to easy to read guides about complaints and activities.

People’s health and wellbeing was promoted. A weekly menu encouraged people to have vegetables and fruit in their diet. They helped to prepare and cook their meals. People at risk of choking had special diets and the support of staff to keep them as safe as possible. People had access to a range of health care professionals and had annual health checks. People’s medicines were safely managed. People had expressed their wishes about how they would like to be cared for at the end of their life.

People’s views and those of their relatives and staff were sought to monitor the quality of the service. This was provided through quality assurance surveys, reviews, complaints and compliments. People had information about how to raise a complaint. The registered manager completed a range of quality assurance audits to monitor and assess people’s experience of the service. Any actions identified for improvement were monitored to ensure they had been carried out. The registered manager worked closely with local and national organisations and agencies to keep up to date with current best practice and guidance. Comments about The Retreat included, “The care is very good. There is a nice atmosphere” and “It’s lovely to see how many events and activities you have planned and how happy everyone is.”

Further information is in the detailed findings below.