Background to this inspection
Updated
10 November 2021
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
Two inspectors and an Expert by Experience undertook the inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
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 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 a short period of notice of the inspection. This was to ensure the management and staff were available to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
Prior to the inspection we looked at all of the information we held about the service. This included feedback, investigations and notifications which the provider is required to send to us by law.
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 used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We visited the location where people were supported. We spoke with three people who used the service, five relatives about their experiences of the care provided and received feedback from one professional. We spoke with six members of staff including, care staff, the manager, branch manager and the quality assurance manager. The registered manager was available to offer support with the inspection remotely. We reviewed a range of records, including care records, medicines administration, policies and procedures, audits and records relating to the operation of the service.
After the inspection
Further information in relation to risk assessments and staff training was provided following the site visit.
Updated
10 November 2021
About the service
Guardian Homecare (The Courtyards) is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people living in a new purpose built extra care housing setting. Staff are available on site over a 24 hour period to support people. At the time of the inspection 16 people were receiving care and support from the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe and staff knew what to do if abuse was suspected. Evidence of safeguarding investigations were seen. Individual risk assessments had been completed. The management confirmed one person’s risk assessments had been reviewed to ensure it reflected their current need. Medicines were managed safely and actions had been taken to investigate any gaps. The management confirmed all medication records had been checked to ensure they have been signed by two staff. People were complimentary about the staff, the staff had been recruited safely. Staff were wearing personal protective equipment, appropriate policies and guidance was available.
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 consent was sought from them, and deprivation of liberty applications had been submitted. People’s needs had been assessed and professionals had been involved where appropriate. Most people told us the staff had the knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs. People were supported with their meals and drinks. People were supported in a new purpose built building with a range of communal areas. People received good care, people and their relatives were complementary about the service provided. People were involved in decisions and choices about the care they received.
No complaints had been received and positive feedback was seen. Care plans had been developed and contained information about how to support people’s needs. People were supported with their communication. Activities were available to people, and engagement with the wider community was supported.
Feedback was sought from people and we saw team meetings had taken place recently. People were confident in the management of the service and staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Audits were taking place and information, policies and guidance was available to support the delivery of care to people.
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 17 March 2020 and this was the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned 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.