Clynsaer, in Llandovery received an ‘Excellent’ rating for Well-being and Leadership and Management, while both Care & Support and Environment were rated ‘Good’.
The inspection found that people at Clynsaer experience a high quality of life, with staff supporting them to make their own choices, develop their independence and participate in activities and experiences that are important to them.
In its report, CIW said: “The well-being outcomes for people are ‘Excellent’ as people maintain and improve upon their physical, mental, and emotional health because of the exemplary support they receive from staff.”
The report said people have “an excellent sense of well-being” and are “consistently treated with dignity and respect”, while also having meaningful control over their daily lives.
Inspectors noted that people have significant choice and control over how they spend their time, including their routines, meals, activities, outings and use of communal or quieter spaces.
The report said: “People receive high-quality care and support from staff who know them well and place them at the heart of the service.
“People have an excellent sense of well-being. They are consistently treated with dignity and respect, have meaningful control over their daily lives and are supported to achieve what matters to them.”
Inspectors noted that regular opportunities are provided for people to express their views, make suggestions and contribute to decisions about their home and activities.
The report highlighted Clynsaer’s “You said – We did” approach, saying there were examples of people’s suggestions resulting in changes to social activities, trips into the wider community and the development of facilities.
CIW inspectors praised the way staff understand and respond to people’s individual communication needs and highlighted how people have opportunities to take part in activities that reflect their interests including swimming, work experience and trips to the seaside.
The report said: “Support is adapted to enable people to develop everyday living skills and do as much as possible for themselves.
“Feedback demonstrates positive progress in areas important to individuals, including communication, independence, participation, health and lifestyle. These opportunities provide people with routine, responsibility and a sense of achievement.
“They have regular opportunities to spend time with family and people important to them, access local facilities and participate in activities outside the service.
“People are supported to enjoy trips, holidays and new experiences, including opportunities to travel further afield, demonstrating that their experiences are not limited by living within a care setting.”
The environment at Clynsaer was rated ‘Good’, with inspectors praising the service as a clean, comfortable and well-maintained home “that supports their needs and well-being.”
Inspectors noted that the service has a homely character, with a variety of spaces thoughtfully adapted to meet people’s individual needs and preferences. Bedrooms are personalised to provide comfortable private spaces, while a separate activity centre provides flexible areas including a kitchen, cinema and recreational facilities.
The report said: “The range of facilities enables people to pursue their interests, socialise and spend their time in ways that are meaningful to them.”
Leadership and management were rated ‘Excellent’, with CIW praising the strong, visible and person-centred leadership provided by the manager, Stacey James. Inspectors found that a clear ethos of putting people first is understood by staff and consistently translated into everyday practice.
The report said this is reinforced through effective provider oversight, staff development, quality assurance and open communication.
Inspectors noted that the manager knows people extremely well and provides visible leadership which translates the service’s values into practice.
The report said: “Care staff demonstrate a shared understanding of expectations around dignity, choice, positive risk-taking and independence.”
It also found evidence of a calm and positive culture, strong teamwork and a clear focus on achieving positive outcomes for people.
Feedback from relatives and others important to people strongly endorsed the leadership and culture within the service. The report said: “They described a caring and respectful approach and confidence in the management team.”
Manager Stacey James said: “We are incredibly proud of the findings from Care Inspectorate Wales and particularly pleased to see the people we support recognised for the excellent well-being outcomes they are achieving.
“Everything we do at Clynsaer is centred around the individual people who live here. It is important to us that they have choice and control over their daily lives, that their voices are heard and that they are supported to pursue the things that matter to them.
“I am also extremely proud of the staff team. They know the people we support exceptionally well and understand the importance of promoting independence, encouraging positive risk-taking and supporting people to be active members of their communities.
“The report is a wonderful reflection of the positive culture we have built together. Most importantly, it shows that our focus on putting people first is being reflected in the experiences and outcomes of the people who live at Clynsaer.”