Background to this inspection
Updated
26 April 2016
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.
This inspection visit took place on 24 March 2016 and was announced. The provider was given one days’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we wanted to make sure people and staff were available to speak with us. One inspector carried out this inspection.
We reviewed the information we held about the service. We asked the provider to complete a provider information return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also reviewed other information about the service such as notifications they are required to submit to the Commission.
We used a range of different methods to help us understand people’s experience. We visited two people in their apartment and six people in the on-site restaurant; we spoke with five staff and the registered manager. We used this information to make a judgement about the service.
We looked at three people’s care records to see if their records were accurate and up to date. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service including quality checks.
Updated
26 April 2016
We inspected this service on 24 March 2016. This was an announced inspection and we telephoned the provider one day prior to our inspection, in order to arrange home visits with people. At our last inspection in October 2013, the provider met all the regulations we looked at.
The service provides care and domiciliary support for older people and people with a learning disability who live in their own apartment within the Extracare complex. There are 35 apartments and the provider carried out personal care support visits to 21 people. Some people who live in the service did not receive any support and were independent.
There was a registered manager in 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.
People felt safe when being supported and staff knew how to protect people if they suspected they were at risk of abuse or harm. People understood how to act if they felt vulnerable and were confident they would be supported to raise their concerns. The staff had received training to identify potential abuse and knew who to report their concerns to so that people could be protected.
People’s preferences were considered and incorporated in their support plan. There were regular reviews of people’s care to ensure it accurately reflected their needs. People were supported by staff who had the knowledge and skills to provide safe care and support and had a good understanding of the specific risks to each person and what they should do to minimise these. There were sufficient staff available to meet the needs of people who used the service in a way that they wanted. The provider carried out appropriate checks on staff to ensure they were suitable and fit to work in the service.
People were supported to eat and drink what they liked. Where concerns were identified, people received support from health care professionals to ensure their wellbeing. Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines at the right time, as prescribed.
People were treated with dignity and respect and had their choices acted on. The staff were kind and caring when supporting people. People were confident that staff supported them in the way they wanted and knew people’s likes and dislikes.
People were supported to make decisions and choices about their care and support needs. They were supported in such a way as to retain as much control and independence over their lives as they wanted.
People enjoyed the activities and opportunities to socialise. People were able to stay in touch with people who were important to them as visitors could come to the service at any time.
People knew who to speak with if they had any concerns and they felt these would be taken seriously. Arrangements were in place so that actions were taken following any concerns which were raised.
Quality assurance systems were in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service and the focus was on continuous improvement. People and staff were involved in developing the service and there was strong leadership which promoted an open culture and which put people at the heart of the service. There was regular communication with people and staff whose views were gained on how the service was run; their views were used to make continuous improvements.