Chaffinch Residential Care Home

Updated 27 July 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.

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

The inspection was completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Chaffinch 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.

One of the owners had applied to be registered with the Care Quality Commission. The other owner was the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. 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

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and we wanted to be sure the providers and people would be at home to speak with us.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection and we sought feedback from the local authority.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff including the manager, the nominated individual and one support worker. We observed interactions between the staff and people living at the service.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and five medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at quality assurance records. We spoke with two support workers and four relatives by telephone. We contacted three professionals who have regular contact with the service.

Updated 27 July 2021

About the service

Chaffinch Residential Care Home (known as Chaffinch) is a residential care home providing personal care to five people with mental health needs. Chaffinch is an adapted home within the community. Each person has their own bedroom and shares the lounge, kitchen and two bathrooms.

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

People and relatives were positive about the changes made at the home and in the staff team since the manager and nominated individual had been the owners of Chaffinch. They said they were involved in their care and support plans and were encouraged to do things for themselves with support.

Staff were also positive about working at the home, saying the manager and nominated individual were supportive and approachable. Staff received the training and support required for their role. Staff were safely recruited and there were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Additional staff were available when people needed additional support, for example to attend an appointment.

Person-centred support plans and risk assessments were in place, which were reviewed each month. People received their medicines as prescribed. People were supported to maintain their health and nutrition.

The home was clean throughout and the current government COVID-19 guidelines were being followed. Some of the home had been re-decorated and new furnishings bought. A plan was in place for further work to be completed.

A new quality assurance system had been introduced, with regular audits of the service being completed. Health and social care professionals working with the service said that communication with the manager and nominated individual was good.

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.

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 the service under the previous provider was good, published on 16 April 2018.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.