Carr Bank House

Updated 14 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 two inspectors.

Service and service type

Carr Bank 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

Notice was given to the service just before our arrival. Short notice was given so we could check the Covid-19 status within the home.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection-

We spoke with four people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager and care workers. We observed interactions between people and the staff throughout the inspection.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple 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, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We spoke with three members of staff and contacted one relative. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We contacted two professionals who have been involved with the service.

Updated 14 July 2021

About the service

Carr Bank House is a residential care home providing personal care to 11 people with mental health needs. The service can support up to 14 people.

The home consists of two adjoining properties that have been adapted to form a large house. Each person had their own room, with four rooms having en-suite facilities and the other rooms sharing bathing facilities.

This was the first inspection at Carr Bank House since they had re-registered with the Care Quality Commission in April 2020. This was due to a change in the legal structure for the provider. The registered manager, nominated individual and the staff team remained the same. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. Since being re-registered a new registered manager has been employed at the service.

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

People said they liked living at Carr Bank House and liked the staff team. People were encouraged to complete tasks themselves. People were asked what they thought about living at the service each month during a discussion with their keyworker.

Care files contained the information staff needed to meet people’s support needs. The risks people may face had been identified and guidance provided to manage these risks. We have made a recommendation for ensuring all of people’s needs are captured in people’s care plans.

People received their medicines as prescribed and were supported to maintain their health and nutrition. 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.

Staff said they felt well supported by the management team and could ask for support if they needed to. Training had increased, with staff completing refresher training. Regular supervision meetings were held. Staff were safely recruited and completed an induction prior to supporting people on their own.

A quality assurance system was in place, with actions taken where issues were found. The provider had oversight of the service through regular meetings with the registered manager. This was to be strengthened with a formal audit of key areas each month by one of the provider’s directors.

A programme of refurbishment and redecorating had started, with more improvements planned. The home was clean throughout and government guidelines for COVID-19 were being followed, including the use of masks.

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 23 May 2018.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection to provide a rating for the re-registered service.

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.