The Retreat

Updated 22 March 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

One inspector and 1 Expert by Experience.

An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

The Retreat is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. The Retreat is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 30 January 2023 and ended on 17 February 2023. We visited the service on 03 February 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 2 relatives about their experience of care provided. Where people at the service were not able to talk with us, we used observations to gather evidence of their experiences of the service. We spoke with 4 members of staff, including the quality improvement manager, and the interim manager.

We reviewed 1 person’s care file and medication records, and 2 staff files in relation to recruitment. We also reviewed a range of documents relating to the management of the service, including policies, procedures, and a range of quality audits. After the inspection we received additional information from the provider, as requested.

Updated 22 March 2023

About the service

The Retreat is a residential care home providing accommodation with personal care for to up to 5 people with a learning disability or autistic people. At the time of our inspection there were 3 people using the service.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

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

We found the service were following the principles and values of Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture, and other best practice guidance.

Right Support:

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 supported people to take part in activities of their choosing, and to join in new activities and past times. The service was designed and furnished to meet people’s needs and was well maintained and clean. Staff supported people well with their medicines and ensured people’s health needs were met.

Right Care:

There were enough suitably trained staff to keep people safe and meet their needs and wants. Staff had received training and understood how to keep people safe from poor care or the risk of abuse. People were treated with dignity and respect, and staff actively promoted people’s independence.

Right Culture:

The service included people in their own care planning, making sure their voice was clear throughout their care plans, including the voice of those important to them. People enjoyed a varied and active life within the service. The service was kept under regular review to look for new ways to improve the quality of care provided. Managers fostered an inclusive and supported environment within the service.

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 15 January 2020.)

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this 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, which will help inform when we next inspect.