CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Chy-An-Towans
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, July 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with only minor documentation issues noted.
This was an unannounced inspection on 8 and 9 July 2019. One inspector spoke with four people, three staff members and the registered manager. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, suitable risk assessments and a clean environment. People received support with food, health care, activities and everyday choices.
Inspectors saw respectful care that promoted independence and dignity. People were involved in their care and had opportunities to take part in community activities. The home was larger than current best practice guidance suggests, but inspectors said its design and location reduced any negative impact.
The overall Good rating was unchanged from the previous inspection, published on 9 March 2017. Inspectors found that the home had systems to monitor quality and learn from mistakes.
Choice and independence
Support focused on helping people make choices, develop skills and become more independent.
“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.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored, administered and monitored safely. Staff were trained and checked as competent before giving medicines.
“Systems for administering, storage and monitoring medicines were safe.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors observed positive relationships and found that people's privacy, dignity and choices were respected.
“People were treated respectfully and staff were committed to providing the best possible care for people.” from the report
Activities and community life
People were supported to take part in activities and maintain links with the wider community, families and friends.
“People had the opportunity to participate in activities and to spend time with the wider community.” from the report
Positive management
Staff described good communication and support, and inspectors found systems for checking quality and learning from mistakes.
“The team worked well together and had the shared goal of providing a good service to people who lived at the home.” from the report
Recruitment records
minorStaff were recruited safely, but inspectors said some parts of the recruitment documentation could be clearer or more complete.
“although some aspects of documentation could be improved.” from the report
Size of the home
minorThe home supported ten people in a building larger than current best practice guidance. Inspectors said the design and setting reduced any negative effect on people.
“The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties.” from the report
- 01How do you make sure recruitment checks and staff records are complete and kept up to date?
- 02How would you support my relative to develop independence and make everyday choices?
- 03What activities and community opportunities would be suitable for my relative?
- 04How would you communicate information to someone who cannot read or write?
- 05How would you support my relative's health needs, medicines and contact with outside health professionals?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and the care provided; all ratings were assessed during this visit. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 July 2019 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, March 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with strong management.
This was an unannounced inspection on 15 February 2017. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, staff, relatives and healthcare professionals. The inspector also observed care, looked around the building and checked care records, staff files, training and other records.
The home supported ten people with learning and/or physical disabilities. Inspectors found enough suitably skilled staff, safe medicines systems, detailed care plans and good support with health, food and activities. People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
All five areas were rated Good: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. The report says this was the first inspection since the home registered as a new legal entity in September 2016. The previous inspection, under a different legal entity in February 2014, had found no concerns.
Kind relationships
Inspectors saw friendly, respectful relationships between people and staff. Staff understood people's individual needs and communication.
“The staff team had developed kind and supportive relationships with people using the service.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described people's preferences, routines and support needs. Staff used this information to provide individual care.
“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.” from the report
Activities and community life
People had regular activities and outings, including day centres, horse riding, shopping, singing and dancing.
“People were supported to access the local community and take part in a range of activities of their choice.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
There were enough skilled staff, with staffing increased when activities required it. Inspectors found medicines were stored, recorded and checked safely.
“There were enough skilled and experienced staff to ensure the safety of people who lived at Chy-An-Towans.” from the report
Strong management
The manager and owners were visible and approachable. Staff said they felt supported, and quality checks were in place.
“There were effective quality assurance systems in place to make sure that any areas for improvement were identified and addressed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are staffing levels adjusted when people have different activities or care needs?
- 02How will you make sure my relative's care plan reflects their communication, choices and changing needs?
- 03What activities and outings would be available each week for my relative?
- 04How would you involve our family in health changes, appointments and care plan reviews?
- 05How can we raise a concern or complaint, and how would you keep us informed about the response?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, with observations, discussions and checks of care, staffing, training and management records. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 March 2017 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 Chy-An-Towans
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 September 2016.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
10 live-in carers within about two hours of Cornwall
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £980 to £1,200 a week. 8 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“He had been a little anxious before she arrived, but has since stated that he would be very happy for her to care for him again”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.