Archived: Knowsley Extra Care

Updated 31 May 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. This inspection was planned to check 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

One inspector carried out this inspection.

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 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 did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that the provider is 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 on day one and announced on day two.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service from the provider and other agencies since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). 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. We used this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with seven people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the interim manager and six care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included six people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three 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.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to corroborate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with one professional who regularly visited the service.

Updated 31 May 2019

About the service

People who use the service live in their own apartments across two complexes. One of the complexes is the registered location. Managers and staff have access to an office in both complexes. There were 26 people using the service at the time of the inspection.

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

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Since the last inspection significant improvements had been made to people’s safety, assessing and planning people’s care, storage and maintenance of records and the systems for checking on the quality and safety of the service.

Medicines were managed safely, and people received their prescribed medication at the right times. Risks to people were assessed and control measures put in place to reduce the risk of harm to people. People were protected from the risk of abuse. Safe recruitment procedures were followed, and people received care and support from the right amount of suitably skilled and experienced staff.

People’s needs were assessed with their full involvement. People received effective care and support to meet their needs and choices. Staff received the training and support they needed for their role. People’s right to make their own decisions was understood and respected.

People were treated with dignity and respect and their independence, privacy and confidentiality was promoted. Staff were knowledgeable about people and formed trusting and positive relationships with them.

People received personalised care and support which was responsive to their needs. People’s needs were regularly reviewed with their involvement. People were given information about how to complain and they told us they would complain if they needed to. Staff understood how to provide people with dignified end of life care.

The interim manager and staff promoted a person-centred service and there was an open and positive culture. There was good partnership working with others to improve and promote the service. There were effective systems in place for monitoring the quality and safety of the service and making improvements. The views and opinions about the service was obtained from people, staff and relevant others.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

At the last inspection the service was rated requires improvement (published 23 October 2018).

Previous breaches

Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider is no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

Follow up

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