Archived: Trefusis

Updated 18 April 2018

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This announced inspection took place on 19 February 2018. The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Before our inspection visit we reviewed the information we held on Trefusis. This included previous reports and notifications we had received from the provider, about incidents that affect the health, safety and welfare of people who lived at the service. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

During the inspection we spoke with two people who were able to express their views of living at the service. We looked around the premises and observed care practices on the day of our visit.

We spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager and one staff member. We looked at three records relating to the care of people, three staff recruitment files, staff duty rosters, staff training records and records relating to the running of the service.

Updated 18 April 2018

This inspection visit took place on 19 February 2018 and was announced. This was because Trefusis is a small service where people often go out. We therefore needed to be sure people and staff would be available. The last inspection took place on 15 December 2015 when the service was meeting the legal requirements. The service was rated as Good at that time. Following this inspection the service remains Good.

Trefusis is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Trefusis is a detached dorma bungalow and is registered to accommodate three people. At the time of the inspection three people were living at the service. It is part of Spectrum (Cornwall Autistic Community Trust), an organisation providing support and care for people with autism living in Cornwall.

The service has three bedrooms one being on the first floor. There is a lounge and open plan dining and kitchen area. There is one bathroom with bath and shower as well as a toilet and a separate additional toilet. There is a rear outdoor area and raised garden. People living at Trefusis did not require any aids or adaptations to support them. Trefusis is situated in a residential area of the town of Redruth . It is close to the town centre and there is on-street parking.

We spoke with two people living at Trefusis. They told us they had lived at the service for a long time and liked living there. They told us they were supported to maintain their independence and do things they liked, such as taking part in activities and interests of their choice. They said, “Like living here,” “I go out on my own which I like doing” and “The staff help me.”

There were times when staff were directed to support other services during a shift which reduced the numbers available at Trefusis. This was usually managed so it did not impact on what people living at Trefusis did. However there had been occasions when activities had been missed. We have made a recommendation about this.

The service had systems in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report unsafe care or abusive practices.

Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. These had been kept under review and were relevant to the care provided.

Staff who had responsibility for the administration of medication had completed appropriate training. Medicines were administered safely by staff and the arrangements for storage and recording were satisfactory.

People were supported to make decisions and their rights were protected in line with relevant legislation and guidance. People were supported to access healthcare services. We saw that advice and guidance from healthcare professionals was incorporated into care plans to ensure that staff provided effective care and support. People’s nutritional needs were met; their likes, dislikes and special diets were known by staff and were catered for.

The service had an effective recruitment process and this ensured only people considered suitable to work with vulnerable people had been employed. We saw that there were sufficient numbers of staff employed to meet the needs of people who lived at the home.

Staff told us they were happy with the training provided for them, and we saw that there were effective induction training and refresher training programmes in place.

There was an emphasis on promoting dignity, respect and independence for people who lived at the service. People told us staff treated them as individuals and delivered person centred care. People living at Trefusis had lived together for a number of years. However, each person had their own lifestyle choices and interests. This uniqueness was recognised and supported by the staff team.

People's rights were protected because staff acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The principles of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were understood and applied correctly.

People had a care and support plan created with their involvement and was written in a person centred way. The care plan documented all aspects of the persons needs including how they wanted their care and support to be provided, their choices, needs, likes and dislikes.

People's rights were protected because staff acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Capacity assessments were in place to justify restrictions in order to keep people safe. The principles of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were understood and applied correctly.

The service had a complaints procedure in place. Any complaints had been dealt with in accordance with the service’s policy and procedure, and to the complainant’s satisfaction.

We looked around the building and found it had been maintained, was clean and hygienic and a safe place for people to live. Some paintwork was chipped and the two main double glazed windows at the front of the service had failed. This meant condensation reduced the clarity of the glass. We found equipment had been serviced and maintained as required.

The registered manager was supported by the provider through regular communication. There was a deputy manager who supported a team of support staff.

There were quality assurances checks being undertaken by the organisation through regular audits and annual surveys. The registered manager also checked daily, weekly and monthly care monitoring tools to ensure people received appropriate care which met their needs.