Archived: Highbury Court Flats

Updated 20 November 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 30 October and was unannounced. The inspection was undertaken by one adult social care inspector from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Prior to our inspection we contacted the local authority commissioning team and the safeguarding team. This helped us to gain a balanced view of what people experienced accessing the service. We received no negative comments or concerns.

We looked at notifications received by CQC. We had received a provider information return form (PIR). This form asks the provider to give us some key information about what the service does well and what improvements they plan to make.

We did not use a used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. However, all the people in this service lived in individual flats and went out for a large part of each day, so this was not a suitable tool to use in this instance.

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager and a support worker. We spoke with three people who used the service and met two others who did not wish to speak with us. We also spoke with two relatives. We contacted three health and social care professionals. All the feedback we received was positive.

We looked at records including five support plans, policies and procedures, training records, health and safety records, audits and meeting minutes.

Updated 20 November 2018

Highbury Court Flats is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The care home accommodates six people, with mental health issues and/or learning disabilities in their own flats. Highbury Court Flats is based in Prestwich, Greater Manchester and provides accommodation for up to six people who require personal care and support.

The inspection took place on 30 October 2018 and was unannounced. At our last inspection on 26 July 2016 we rated the service good in all domains and overall. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

There was a registered manager at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Appropriate safeguarding systems were in place to keep people safe. Recruitment procedures were robust and staffing levels were appropriate.

Health and safety measures were in place. There was an infection control file in place with guidance for staff to follow. Accidents and incidents were recorded appropriately, and medicines systems were safe.

Care files included all relevant health and personal information and there was evidence that referrals were made to other agencies as required.

Induction for new staff was comprehensive, all mandatory training was up to date and service specific training was delivered as required.

People 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.

Staff interactions throughout the day were respectful and friendly. People’s privacy and dignity was respected, and service had a policy and training in place regarding equality and diversity.

Care plans demonstrated that people who used the service were fully involved with their care and support planning. People were encouraged to be independent and pursue their own interests and hobbies.

There were monthly residents’ meetings where people could put forward their views and suggestions for the service. Policies were in place with regard to confidentiality and data protection.

Care files were person-centred and included information about what was important to the individual, their daily routines, strengths and gifts. People were supported to access activities, work and interests and to maintain relationships with family and friends.

People who used the service were aware of how to make a complaint and there were regular house meetings as well as annual surveys, providing opportunities for people to voice their opinions and raise concerns.

The registered manager was supported by a service manager and was accountable to a management committee. The service had good links with the community and we saw evidence of good partnership working with other agencies.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.