Updated 11 February 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.
Inspection team
This inspection was completed by two inspectors 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 bought or 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
We gave the service notice of the inspection. This was because we wanted to gather information about the service before visiting. We also needed to be sure the registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 14 December 2021 and ended on 13 January 2022. We visited the office location on 11 January 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since its registration. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
Prior to visiting the office location, we obtained and reviewed information from the registered manager. This included staff records, care records, provider policies and quality assurance records. We spoke with three people who used the service and five relatives by telephone about their experience of the care provided. We also received feedback from the local authority and a number of professionals who work with the service.
During the visit to the office location we spoke with one person who used the service and six members of staff including the area manager, a support manager, registered manager, team leaders and carers.
Throughout the inspection, we reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We also spoke with two staff members by telephone.