Combe House

Combe House is a care home that offers accommodation and personal care for up to seven individuals with learning disabilities. This report details the findings of an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in November 2021. The inspection aimed to assess the quality of care and support provided, focusing on key areas such as safety, effectiveness, caring practices, responsiveness, and leadership. While the home received positive ratings in several crucial areas, the report also highlights aspects that require further development to fully align with the principles of Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture.

In terms of safety, the home generally provides a secure environment. Robust recruitment processes are in place, and staff are well-trained in safeguarding. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed, and medicines are managed safely with appropriate actions taken for any errors. However, the consistency of care has been impacted by the reliance on agency staff, although efforts have been made to use regular agency staff where possible.

Regarding effectiveness, care is planned and delivered in line with best practices and national guidance. Staff receive comprehensive induction and ongoing training tailored to residents' specific needs, and they regularly meet with the manager for supervision. Residents are supported to access healthcare services and maintain their health, with effective collaboration with external professionals.

On caring, residents and their relatives consistently describe staff as kind and supportive, fostering positive relationships and a sense of home. Staff are trained in equality and diversity and actively promote residents' independence, respecting their choices and privacy. Residents are encouraged to participate in household tasks and express their views on their care.

In terms of how responsive the service is, the home is not always able to demonstrate how it fully maximises people's choice and control over their lives. Some residents' choices about how they spend their time have been restricted due to their support needs, indicating that the current model of care could be more adaptive to individual preferences.

Finally, concerning how well-led the service is, the provider has systems to monitor quality and safety, including audits and feedback mechanisms. However, the overall leadership approach needs further development to ensure that all aspects of care consistently reflect the principles of Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture, particularly in relation to maximising resident choice and independence.