Swann House

Updated 18 October 2019

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

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 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

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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 used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, a team leader and care workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service. We also spoke with a visiting healthcare professional.

Updated 18 October 2019

About the service

Swann House is a domiciliary care agency. It is registered to provide personal care to people in their own homes. This service provided care and support to people living in a 'supported living' setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. At the time of the inspection visit the service supported 22 people.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People received good quality, person-centred care. People felt safe living at Swann House with support from staff, who knew them well. People's care needs were assessed, and action was taken to reduce any risks. The registered manager recorded and monitored accidents and incidents to minimise the likelihood of a reoccurrence.

People were cared for by trained and competent staff who were fully supported by the registered manager in their roles. 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.

Everybody spoken with was complimentary about the staff team and their caring approach.

People were involved in developing their care plans and making decisions. They were encouraged to maintain or regain their independence. Staff arranged communal social activities to help reduce loneliness and promote socialisation.

The registered manager monitored safety and quality through regular checks and audits.

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 (published 7 June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.