Background to this inspection
Updated
4 February 2020
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, 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
This inspection was announced.
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be available to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 16 December 2019 and ended on 17 December 2019.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service including notifications which the provider is required by law to send us about certain events that happen within the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection. 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 reviewed feedback we had received about the service from a care professional.
During the inspection
We visited two people in their own homes and spoke with three people in the communal lounge to find out about their experiences of their care. We spoke with the registered manager, the scheme manager and four members of care staff. We spoke with two health care professionals who were visiting the service.
We reviewed a range of records including those relating to the management and monitoring of the quality of the service such as audits and surveys. We reviewed three people’s care records and pathway tracked two people’s care. Pathway tracking is when we check to ensure people had received all the care they required. We looked at two staff recruitment records and three staff supervision and training records.
After the inspection
The registered manager sent us further information we had requested. We received feedback from a social care professional who had been working with the service.
Updated
4 February 2020
About the service
Gore Grange consists of 37 individual flats within an extra care housing scheme. The service provides personal care for older people and adults under 65 years some of whom may be living with dementia, learning disabilities, mental health, physical and/or sensory impairment. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting 20 people with 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
People spoke highly of the staff who had supported them to improve the quality of their lives. People felt safe, secure and well cared for by staff who understood their needs. Individual and environmental risks associated with people’s health and care needs had been assessed and measures to reduce risks were in place and understood by staff. People received safe and appropriate support with their medicines where required. Robust recruitment processes were in place which ensured only staff suitable to work in social care were employed. There were enough staff on duty each day to support people safely and meet their needs. Staff understood their responsibilities to identify and report any concerns appropriately.
People’s care and support needs were assessed before they started to receive a service. People were involved in developing their care plans in line with their wishes and preferences and consented to their care. This ensured they retained maximum choice and control over their lives. Staff supported people with their nutritional needs where required. Staff received regular supervision, appraisals and training which ensured they were competent and knowledgeable to deliver effective care in line with best practice.
People told us they were very satisfied with the care they received and the way they were treated by staff. Staff involved people in decisions about their care and promoted their independence, privacy and dignity. People received person centred support in line with their care plans which met their individual needs, preferences and choices. People had no complaints but knew who they could speak to should this be the case. They were confident any concerns would be taken seriously and addressed.
The registered manager had created an open and transparent culture. People and staff felt able to contribute their views and opinions and felt involved in the on-going development of the service. Staff consistently told us they felt valued by the management team who were supportive and approachable. The registered manager worked closely with local community groups and commissioners to promote joined up working and improve systems and processes.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 13 December 2018 and this was their first inspection.
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.