St. John's Almshouses

Updated 5 July 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

Our 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 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 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection, we reviewed information we had received about the service including previous inspection reports and notifications. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to send to us. 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 five people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, senior care workers and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 5 July 2019

About the service

St. John’s Almshouses provides a personal care service to people who live in a complex of private apartments within communal grounds. Whilst not all people needed any personal care or support, those that did could either choose to make their own arrangements or use the personal care service provided by St. John’s Almshouses staff. When we visited, ten people were using the service and receiving support with their personal care. Other people who lived at St. John’s Almshouses could receive care and support should they need it in an emergency. 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 using the service told us they felt safe. There were sufficient numbers of staff to maintain the schedule of care visits to meet people’s needs.

Relevant recruitment checks were conducted before staff started working at the service to make sure they were of good character and had the necessary skills.

People were cared for by a motivated and well-trained staff team, who always put people first. Staff had the knowledge and skills required to meet people’s needs.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service provided. There was a system in place to allow people to express any concerns or complaints they may have.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff were able to identify and discuss the importance of maintaining people’s respect and privacy at all times.

Medication administration records (MAR) confirmed people had received their medicines as prescribed. There were plans in place for foreseeable emergencies.

Staff were responsive to people’s needs which were detailed in people’s care plans. Care plans provided comprehensive information which helped ensure people received personalised 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.

Staff felt supported by the provider and registered manager and could visit the office to discuss any concerns.

The service developed and promoted community involvement within the service.

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 11 January 2017). Since this rating was awarded the registered provider of the service has altered its legal entity. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.

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.