About the service:

Ocean Retreat is a residential care home that accommodates up to four people in one adapted building. The service specialises in supporting people with mental health needs. There was one person using the service at the time of this inspection. For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.

People’s experience of using this service:

The person using the service told us they felt safe with staff. Staff were able to meet their needs and supported them in a dignified, respectful way which maintained their privacy and independence. The provider made sure the person received support from the same staff so that this was consistent.

The person’s views, choices and wishes had been considered when planning and delivering the care and support they needed. There was current and relevant information for staff about how the person’s needs should be met. Risks to the person had been assessed and staff had guidance on how these should be managed to keep them safe. The person’s care and support was reviewed with them weekly to make sure this was continuing to meet their needs.

Staff sought the person’s consent before providing any support. They were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

There were enough staff to support the person. The provider made sure staff were suitable and fit to support people through their recruitment checks. Staff received relevant training to help them meet people’s needs. They were supported by the provider to continuously improve their working practices.

Staff were trained to safeguard people from abuse and knew how to report concerns to the appropriate individual and/or authority. The provider carried out safety checks of the premises. They made sure the premises and equipment were appropriately maintained and serviced so that they were safe. The premises were clean and provided a range of spaces that the person could use comfortably when at home. Staff followed good practice to ensure risks were minimised from poor hygiene and cleanliness and when preparing and handling food.

Staff supported the person to eat and drink sufficient amounts to meet their needs and to take their prescribed medicines. Medicines were stored safely. Staff documented the support provided to the person and kept others involved in their care up to date and informed about the person’s health and wellbeing.

The person had been provided information about how to make a complaint if needed. The provider had arrangements in place to deal with complaints about the service. The provider recorded and investigated any accidents and incidents that occurred, which included keeping people involved and informed of the outcome.

The provider had aims and standards for the service and had informed the person what they should expect from staff and the service in respect of the quality of care they received. Staff had clearly defined roles and duties and the registered manager understood their legal responsibilities regarding the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

The provider sought the person’s views about how the service could be improved. They used this feedback along with learning from incidents and other checks of the service to monitor, review and improve the quality and safety of the support provided. The provider worked with other agencies such as the local authority to develop and improve the support provided.

The person using the service had only been doing so for six weeks. Because of this we were unable to gather enough information about their experiences and evidence of consistent good practice to rate the service at this time.

Rating at last inspection:

The service registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in July 2018. The provider did not start providing a service until September 2018. This is the first