Updated 27 January 2022
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 Care Act 2014.
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
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in specialist ‘extra care’ housing. Extra care housing is purpose-built or adapted single household accommodation in a shared site or building. The accommodation is rented and is the occupant’s own home. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for extra care housing; this inspection looked at people’s personal care service.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the registered manager manages two services and we wanted to ensure they could make arrangements to be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 20 October 2021 and ended on 28 October 2021. We visited the office location on 22 October 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
We reviewed information we had received about the service from the registered manager, people who use the service and their relatives. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
We asked the registered manager to send us some policies and documents in preparation for our visit.
During the inspection
We met with eight people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, service manager and care staff. We observed how people and staff interacted and communicated with each other.
We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at seven staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at training data, policies and quality assurance records. We received feedback about the service from a GP practice. We spoke with advocacy services who support people receiving a regulated activity.