The Care Quality Commission
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Archived: Housing & Care 21 - Diamond Court

Summer Lane, Diamond Batch, Worle, Weston Super Mare, Somerset, BS24 7AY 0370 192 4038

Provided and run by:
Housing 21

All Inspections

24/04/2014

During a routine inspection

Housing & Care 21 – Diamond Court is an extra care housing scheme and domiciliary care service providing personal care to people who live in their own homes. At the time of the inspection the service was providing care to 62 people. People lived in their own flats within two buildings and shared access to communal areas such as a library, a restaurant and dining room, gardens and a variety of seating areas.

When we visited there was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service and has the  legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law like the provider.

Records did not always reflect the care, treatment, and medicines that people received. We found the service needed to make improvements in this area.  You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.

We found that one notifiable incident had not been reported to the CQC since the last inspection. Registered managers have a statutory duty to notify the CQC of circumstances and events that might have an impact on the care they are providing.

On the day of the inspection we saw people were well cared for and their needs were met at times that were convenient to them. People told us they felt involved in their care and were able to talk with staff and the manager about any concerns they had. Comments included: “I was involved in my care plan.” and: “I’m very happy with what I get here. They really do care.”

We found there was a positive relationship between staff and management.

People were getting on well with each other and staff throughout our inspection. We heard chatter and laughter in the communal areas of the building.

18, 19 July 2013

During a routine inspection

During our inspection we used home visits to people who used the service and to their main carers (a relative or friend) to gain views about the service. We visited five people in their own home and spoke with one person by telephone. We asked them about their experiences of the support they received. All of the people and the care workers we spoke with gave positive feedback about the service. They told us that the carers were always polite and considerate. Care was arranged to meet their needs and when they required a change in service this had been arranged. All the people we spoke with commented on the pleasant and caring attitude of the care workers.

We heard that there was flexibility to arrange additional visits to cover occasions when people needed extra support. One person told us 'they are very flexible and can change visits at short notice.'

We were told the care workers supported and encouraged people to maintain as much independence as possible. We heard that people felt comfortable with the care workers and were able to ask them to complete additional tasks.

People told us they felt safe using this service and knew what to do if they had any concerns. They had all met the manager and were confident about contacting them if there were any issues.

We read the daily records completed by the care workers. We saw staff understood the care to be provided and that they took action when there were any concerns about people's safety.

5 October 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

We used home visits with people who used the service to gain views about the service. We visited nine people in their own home as part of this inspection and spoke with them and with their relatives about their experiences of the support they received. We spoke with the registered manager and the care services manager and with a care worker.

People and their representatives who spoke with us said that the care workers who supported them knew them well. One person told us' They always let me know what they are doing with my care plan and read it to me'. We heard that there was flexibility to arrange additional visits to cover occasions when people needed extra support.

People told us they were well looked after. People told us that care workers respected their choices about the way that care was delivered. People said that they felt safe using this service and knew what to do if they had any concerns. One person told us 'If I have any worries I can always call the care manager.'

The people we spoke with confirmed that the care workers supported and encouraged them to maintain as much independence as possible. We read the daily records and saw care workers understood the care to be provided and that they took action when there were any concerns about people's safety. We were told 'care workers are sufficiently trained before working here and I am confident in their skills.'

7 December 2010

During a routine inspection

People who use the service told us that staff are respectful and all provide a good standard of care. People told us they are aware of how to make a complaint and would feel confident to raise a concern with staff. People also told us they have a key worker who regularly reviews their needs and is able to make changes if required. Staff are able provide a range of support for nutritional and cooking needs through helping with shopping and preparing meals.