6 November 2019
During a routine inspection
Creative Support-Cornerstones and Chimney Court is an extra care housing scheme, providing support to people living in their own flats across two sites. Cornerstones has 41 flats and Chimney Court has 56 flats. At the time of the inspection the service was providing personal care to 40 people. Although most people who use the service are older, the scheme also accommodates some younger adults with a mental health diagnosis, learning disability or physical disability.
The provider provides a range of low-level support services for everyone who live at both schemes; whether or not they receive personal care. 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
There were robust process and systems in place to keep people safe from the risk of abuse. Potential risks to people were identified with them and relevant actions were taken to ensure their safe management. There were sufficient numbers of suitable staff to support people at all times. People received their medicines safely from trained and competent staff. The registered manager ensured any relevant information was shared with staff following incidents or concerns, to minimise the risk of repetition.
People’s needs were assessed prior to the provision of their care, which was based on current legislative requirements and guidance. Staff had the required skills and knowledge to provide people’s care effectively. Staff ensured people received the level of support they required in order to maintain a balanced diet. Staff worked well both together as a team and across services to ensure people received effective care, including health care.
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.
People told us staff treated them with kindness, respect and compassion. A person said, “They are really good, they care. It’s not just a job to them, they enjoy it.” Staff supported people to express their views and to be involved in making decisions about their care. People’s privacy, dignity and independence were respected and promoted.
People received personalised care that gave them choice and control and reflected their needs and preferences. People were encouraged and supported to participate in activities of interest to them and to maintain relationships that were important to them. People were encouraged to raise any issues and these were thoroughly investigated. Staff supported people at the end of their lives.
The service was well managed and well-led. Staff felt valued and confident they could raise any issues. People’s and staff’s views on the service were sought. People benefitted from the service maintaining strong relationships with other stakeholders including those based on the two sites and external providers and services. Processes were in place to monitor the quality of the service provided and to identify areas for improvement.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 23 March 2018 and this is the first inspection. The services at this location were previously supplied by another provider.
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.