CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Tamar House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People told inspectors they felt safe. Staff understood safeguarding, risk plans were reviewed, medicines were managed safely and there had been no recorded medicines errors since the previous inspection.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and staff received training and supervision. People were supported with food, drinks, healthcare, consent and the least restrictive arrangements.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives gave positive feedback. Inspectors saw staff treating people with kindness, respecting privacy and supporting people to make choices and maintain independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's needs, wishes and communication methods. People were supported with activities they enjoyed, and complaints information was available in pictures and words.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager promoted an open culture and regular checks were used to monitor quality. People and staff said they could share their views and ideas.
What inspectors found, February 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with some staffing and maintenance issues noted.
The inspection took place on 23 January 2019 and was announced. One inspector spoke with eight people living at the home, two relatives, staff and managers. They observed care, reviewed three care records and checked medicines, training, safeguarding, accidents and quality checks.
The home supported 12 people with learning disabilities or autism, although it had places for up to 13. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with dignity, supported to make choices and helped to access food, drinks and healthcare.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The overall rating stayed Good. The Safe rating improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection in 2016.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe, and staff knew how to recognise and report abuse or risks.
“People told us they felt safe living at Tamar House.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans covered people's individual needs, wishes, privacy, dignity and communication. People were supported to take part in hobbies and activities they enjoyed.
“Care plans were person centred and addressed people's individual needs, wishes and preferences.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw people comfortable with staff and receiving emotional and physical reassurance when needed. Staff also supported people's appearance and privacy.
“We observed people were comfortable in the company of staff and the registered manager.” from the report
People's choices were heard
People could express their views in keyworker and house meetings, including about menus and activities. Information about advocacy was available in accessible formats.
“Throughout the inspection we saw people were able to express their views about their care and make decisions about what they wanted to do.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The manager carried out checks on areas such as dignity, accidents and health needs. The report says action was taken when issues were found.
“Systems were in place to monitor the quality of the services provided for people who lived in the home.” from the report
Staff time
needs fixingStaff were available and responded promptly, but they also had cooking and cleaning duties. Inspectors said this reduced the time available to spend with people, and the provider said it was reviewing staff deployment.
“However they had continued responsibility for tasks such as cooking and cleaning which reduced the time they had to spend with people.” from the report
Repairs and decoration
minorSome parts of the building needed attention. The report says the lounge ceiling wallpaper and first-floor bathroom flooring were dealt with after the inspection.
“Some areas of the building required attention in respect of re-decoration and maintenance.” from the report
Records cupboard
minorA cupboard hinge holding personal records had broken on the inspection day. The manager arranged for it to be fixed and the office was locked when not in use.
“However, on the day of inspection one of the cupboard hinges had broken.” from the report
- 01How has staff deployment changed since inspectors found that cooking and cleaning reduced time spent with people?
- 02Have the lounge ceiling wallpaper and first-floor bathroom flooring been repaired, and how is maintenance now checked?
- 03Has the broken cupboard hinge been repaired, and how are personal records kept secure?
- 04How will my relative be involved in care-plan reviews, house meetings and decisions about activities?
- 05How do you review medicines and support people to avoid unnecessary over-medication?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, and the report says both the care and the premises were looked at. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 February 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.
Every inspection of Tamar House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 January 2011.
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
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9 live-in carers within about an hour of Lincolnshire
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.
8 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Martin was more than a carer, he managed the home and became my uncle's best friend, enriching his life during his last few years.”
“Magda was always positive and proactive about trying new things to keep dad busy. She also introduced new ideas for keeping dad healthy.”
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.