Eden Square, Apartment 13

Updated 8 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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Service and service type:

This service provides care and support to people living in a supported living setting in 13 purpose-built apartments in one apartment block, and 6 apartments in another block so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

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 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was to ensure someone would be available at the office to facilitate the inspection.

What we did:

Prior to the inspection we reviewed information and evidence we already held about the service, which had been collected via our ongoing monitoring of care services. This included notifications sent to us by the home. Notifications are changes, events or incidents that the provider is legally obliged to send to us without delay. We also asked for feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the home and we contacted three health and social care professionals who have regular contact with the service. We received no negative feedback about the service.

We asked the service to complete a Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection we spoke with four people who used the service about their experiences of the care provided.

We spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, a team leader and two members of support staff.

We reviewed three care files, three staff personnel files, training records, health and safety records, meeting minutes, audits and other records about the management of the service.

Updated 8 May 2019

About the service:

Eden Square, Apartment 13 is part of the Leonard Cheshire Disability Organisation. It consists of 13 newly constructed purpose-built apartments in one apartment block, and 6 apartments in another block. Both apartment blocks are in close proximity to each other; situated in a shopping precinct in Urmston. The service provides supported living to people with learning and physical disabilities. At the time of the inspection there were 21 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service:

People who used the service told us staffing was an issue. Everyone we spoke with felt too many agency staff were used and that this was a concern. The service was implementing systems to address this issue.

The recruitment systems were robust. Regular staff were said to be extremely efficient and well-liked by people who used the service.

There were appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

Safeguarding concerns were logged and responded to appropriately and staff had received training in this area.

Individual risk assessments were in place and were updated as required. The service encouraged positive risk taking to enable people to be as independent and live as full a life as possible.

Health and safety risks measures were in place.

Accidents and incidents were recorded appropriately and followed up with actions where required.

The service analysed complaints, accidents and incidents and took learning from these to drive improvement to service delivery.

Thorough assessments were completed, and care plans included relevant information to help staff deliver appropriate support. Care plans were person-centred.

Induction and training were undertaken by staff.

Information about people’s nutritional, hydration and special dietary requirements was documented within the care plans. Eating and drinking care plans were in place as required.

The service worked within the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People were spoken to in a kind and friendly manner. Staff received training in equality and diversity and social inclusion was encouraged and supported.

People were involved in planning and reviewing care and support and their communication needs were addressed.

Staff were required to sign a confidentiality agreement and seek consent from people who used the service to disclose any information.

People’s privacy and dignity was respected, and independence promoted.

The service had a clear complaints policy and complaints were logged and responded to appropriately.

CQC notifications of significant events that the service is required to tell us about, were sent in as required.

The manager had an open-door policy and staff and people who used the service told us they felt they could speak to them about any concerns.

Staff meetings were undertaken regularly, and the service carried out regular surveys for people who used the service and staff to complete.

Quality assurance checks and audits were completed.

Care files evidenced the service working in partnership with other health and social care agencies.

Rating at last inspection:

The previous inspection was carried out on 10 August 2016 and published on 30 September 2016. The service was rated good in all areas and overall.

Why we inspected:

This inspection was part of our scheduled plan of visiting services to check the safety and quality of care people received. Inspection timescales are based on the rating awarded at the last inspection and any information and intelligence received since we inspected. As the previous inspection was Good this meant we needed to re-inspect within approximately 30 months of this date.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor information and intelligence we receive about the home to ensure care remains safe and of good quality. We will return to re-inspect in line with our inspection timescales for good services, however if any information of concern is received, we may inspect sooner.