We carried out a review of the data available to us about Chy-An-Towans on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Chy-An-Towans, you can give feedback on this service.
Chy an Towans is a residential care home providing personal care to ten people with learning disabilities primarily under aged 65 years of age in one adapted building. The service can support up to ten people
The service operated in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to ten people. Ten people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
The service had suitable safeguarding systems in place, and staff had received training about recognising abuse.
Appropriate risk assessment procedures were in place so any risks to people, staff or visitors were minimised.
Staff were recruited appropriately. Staffing levels were satisfactory, and people received timely support from staff when this was required.
The medicines system was well organised and staff received suitable training. People received their medicines on time.
The building was clean, and there were appropriate procedures to ensure any infection control risks were minimised.
The service had suitable assessment and care planning systems to assist in ensuring people received effective and responsive care.
Staff received induction, training and supervision to assist them to carry out their work.
People received enough to eat and drink. Some people were involved in food shopping and cooking for the household.
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.
People received support from external health professionals and were encouraged to live healthier lives.
People said they received support from staff which was caring and respectful. Care promoted people’s dignity and independence. People were involved in decisions about their care.
People had the opportunity to participate in activities and to spend time with the wider community.
People felt confident raising any concerns or complaints. Records showed these had been responded to appropriately.
The service was managed effectively. People and staff had confidence in the registered manager.
The manager was able to demonstrate the service learned from mistakes to minimise them happening again.
The service had suitable systems to monitor service delivery and bring about improvement when necessary.
The team worked well together and had the shared goal of providing a good service to people who lived at the home.
The service worked well with external professionals, and other organisations to provide good quality care.
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 9 March 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.
We carried out this inspection on 15 February 2017. This was the first inspection for the service since registering as a new legal entity in September 2016. The service was last inspected, when the provider was registered as a different legal entity, in February 2014 and we had no concerns at that time.
There was a registered manager in post who was responsible for the day-to-day running of the service. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Some people who used the service were not able to tell us their views about the care and support they received. However, we observed people were relaxed and comfortable with the staff supporting them. Comments from people who were able to talk with us included, “I like it here” and “I am happy living here.” Relatives told us, “No concerns, [Person’s name] is very happy there” and “[Person’s name] is as happy as she can be.” A healthcare professional said, “People seem happy, content and speak positively about their home.”
On the day of our inspection there was a calm, relaxed and friendly atmosphere at the service. We observed people had a good relationship with staff and each other. There were plenty of friendly and respectful conversations between people and with staff. The staff team had developed kind and supportive relationships with people using the service. Comments from relatives included, “Staff do a really good job”, “They (Staff) are wonderful with [Person’s name]” and “The atmosphere is very nice, it’s like a family home.”
Support was provided by a consistent staff team, who knew people well and understood their needs. Staff understood people’s individual ways of communication and used this knowledge to support people to make choices about their daily living. People were supported to access the local community and take part in a range of activities of their choice. Each person had regular activities and outings they took part in every week as well as activities within the service. A healthcare professional commented, “People have a good therapeutic relationship with the care team and do not seem bored, unoccupied or isolated from any activity taking place.”
There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff on duty and staffing levels were adjusted depending on the activities people living at the service were doing. Staff completed a thorough recruitment process to ensure they had the appropriate skills and knowledge. Staff knew how to recognise and report the signs of abuse.
People were supported to maintain good health, have access to healthcare services and received on-going healthcare support. People had access to an annual health screening to maintain their health. Specialist services such as community nurses, occupational therapists and dieticians were used when required. Relatives told us the service always kept them informed of any changes to people’s health and when healthcare appointments had been made.
People were supported to eat and drink enough and maintain a balanced diet and were involved in meal planning. Menu planning was done in a way which combined healthy eating with the choices people made about their food. Relatives told us, “They give everyone a balanced diet” and “They make sure [Person’s name] eats well and stays at a healthy weight.”
Care records were up to date, had been regularly reviewed, and accurately reflected people’s care and support needs. Details of how people wished to be supported were personalised to the individual and provided clear information to enable staff to provide appropriate and effective support. Any risks in relation to people’s care and support were identified and appropriately managed.
Where people did not have the capacity to make certain decisions the service acted in accordance with legal requirements under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
People and their families were given information about how to complain. The management provided strong leadership and led by example. There was a positive culture within the staff team with an emphasis on providing a good service for people. Staff told us they felt supported by the management commenting, “The owners and the manager are lovely and really helpful” , “Great atmosphere to work in, very laid back and all about the people who live here” and “We are a great team, we trust each other because we all understand how to work with the people who live here.”
The registered manager and owners were visible in the service and regularly checked if people were happy and safe living at Chy-An-Towans. People were clearly comfortable with staff and management and relatives told us they had confidence it the way the service was run. Relatives said, “I would be happy to recommend the home to anyone” and “The owners and manager are approachable and always take the time to talk with me.” Healthcare professionals told us, “The service is open to advice, criticism and responds to any suggestions that are made” and “The management team communicate well and take on board any recommendations.”
There were effective quality assurance systems in place to make sure that any areas for improvement were identified and addressed. People and their families were involved in the running of the service and were regularly asked for their views through on-going conversations with staff and management.