CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Cambria House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found suitable safeguarding procedures, safe medicines systems, risk assessments and staffing levels. Infection control arrangements were also found to be effective.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was used in calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was used in calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not inspected during this focused visit. Its previous rating was used in calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found regular audits, open management and effective action when improvements were needed. Relatives and external professionals were positive about the leadership.
What inspectors found, June 2021
Cambria House was inspected but not rated overall; Safe and Well-led were rated Good, with no evidence that people were at risk of harm from the incidents reviewed.
This was a focused inspection on 6 May 2021. It was carried out because several incidents involved behaviours that challenged others. Inspectors reviewed safety and leadership only.
Inspectors found good safeguarding, medicines management, risk assessment, staffing and infection control. They found no evidence that people were at risk of harm from the concern that led to the inspection.
The home had regular audits and managers acted on issues found. Relatives and outside professionals gave positive feedback. The overall service was not rated at this inspection because the other three ratings were carried over from an earlier full inspection.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home used appropriate measures to reduce infection risks, including safe personal protective equipment and testing.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Safeguarding
Staff had safeguarding training and knew how to recognise and report possible abuse. Investigations were carried out when concerns were raised.
“Safeguarding records demonstrated staff knew what actions they should take if they suspected abuse.” from the report
Staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff on duty to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks, including identity checks, references and criminal record checks, were in place.
“Sufficient staff were deployed to meet the needs of people living in the home.” from the report
Risk management
Care records included detailed risk assessments. Staff worked with mental health and behavioural support professionals when people needed this.
“Identified risks were mitigated by thorough care planning.” from the report
Leadership and oversight
Regular audits covered care planning, fire safety and other parts of the service. Shortfalls found through audits had been acted on.
“There were robust audit systems in place which were carried out regularly.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What incidents involving behaviours that challenge have happened since this inspection, and what changes were made afterwards?
- 02How are risk assessments and care plans updated after an incident?
- 03How do you make sure staffing levels remain sufficient for each person's needs?
- 04How are people supported to take part in their chosen community activities?
- 05How do you involve relatives and external professionals in reviewing each person's care?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other ratings were carried over from the previous comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 June 2021 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, February 2018
Cambria House was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind care and Outstanding support tailored to people's lives.
This was an unannounced inspection on 24 January 2018. Inspectors spoke with people, staff, managers, professionals and relatives. They observed care and reviewed care plans, medicine records, staff files, training, complaints, incidents and audits.
The home supported seven people, with space for eight, who had learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders. Inspectors found people were safe, received their medicines properly, had enough staff and were supported to access healthcare. Staff were trained and understood people's communication, choices and needs.
The strongest area was responsive care, rated Outstanding. People had highly personalised plans, meaningful activities and strong links with the local community. The home remained Good overall, as it had been at the previous inspection in September 2015.
Personalised support
Care plans gave staff detailed guidance about people's health, communication, preferences and behaviours. Inspectors found the support was tailored to each person.
“People had highly personalised care plans which ensured care was tailored to meet their individual and diverse needs.” from the report
Community life
People were supported to enjoy theatre, sport, work, hobbies, friendships and other activities in the community.
“People had excellent community links and regularly enjoyed trips to the theatre, cinema, pubs and other local services.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Staff knew people well and supported their dignity, privacy, choices and independence.
“Staff displayed a caring attitude and were affectionate, empathic and kind.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough skilled staff and safe arrangements for storing, giving and checking medicines.
“There were enough skilled staff deployed to support people and meet their needs.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The home used audits, meetings and reviews to check care and identify improvements.
“There were a variety of auditing and monitoring systems in place.” from the report
Change in manager
minorThere was no registered manager when inspectors visited. The new manager had started two days earlier and their registration application was still being processed.
“The service had engaged a new manager who had taken up this role two days before our visit.” from the report
- 01Has the new manager's application to become the registered manager now been completed?
- 02How will you make sure my relative's care plan reflects their communication, health needs, preferences and changing risks?
- 03What activities and community opportunities would be available for my relative, based on their interests and abilities?
- 04How are medicines checked and how would you tell us about any change or problem with medicines?
- 05How can my relative and our family raise a complaint, and how will we be kept informed about the investigation?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five areas of quality, and both the care and the premises were looked at. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 February 2018 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Cambria House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent rating
- February 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 8 December 2010.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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Most charge £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
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