Background to this inspection
Updated
24 July 2019
The inspection
We carried out our inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. Our inspection checked whether the provider was 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.
Inspection team
Our inspection was completed by one inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
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 and support 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
Our inspection was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because staff were often out of the service or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in.
What we did before the inspection
Our inspection was informed by evidence we already held about the service. We also checked for feedback we received from members of the public, the local authority and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). We checked records held by Companies House and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
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.
During the inspection
We spoke with ten people who used the service and three relatives. We spoke with the registered manager who was also the area manager, the new manager and three care workers and a team leader. We reviewed three people’s care records and medicines records, three staff files, audits and other records about the management of the service.
Updated
24 July 2019
About the service
The service is an extra care service. This service provides care and support to people living in one ‘extra care’ scheme, so that they can live as independently as possible. The extra care scheme operated in a purpose-built block of 40 flats. The premises were owned by a local housing association who were responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the building. 34 people were using the service at the time of our inspection. The service supports older people who require assistance with personal care.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider followed recruitment processes so only suitable staff were employed. There were enough staff to support people safely and staff had enough time to interact with people and build good relationships.
People received medicines safely as systems were in place to ensure staff were competent and followed best practice. The provider assessed risks to people, including those relating to medicines, and took action to reduce the risks. Staff were aware of the risks. Staff were trained to follow infection control procedures and the provider took action if concerns were raised about practices.
Staff received regular supervision to support them in their roles. Staff received the training they needed to understand people’s needs. New staff received a suitable induction and were closely supported by staff trained to induct them.
Most people and relatives were positive about the staff who supported them. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and encouraged them to maintain their independence. People were involved in their care and also in developing their care plans. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff supported people to see the health and social care professionals they needed to maintain their health and wellbeing, when this was part of their agreed care. Most people were satisfied with the support they received to eat and drink.
A new manager was in post who was registering with us. The manager was an experienced leader in services for older people. People, relatives and staff told us the service had improved since the manager started and they were accessible.
The provider had good oversight of the service with a system of checks and audits to ensure high standards were maintained.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (report published 15 February 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.