The Maples

Updated 27 May 2023

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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we wanted to be sure the manager would be available to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 21 April 2023 and ended on 28 April 2023. We visited the location on 21 and 25 April 2023 and completed our review of records.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority, professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. 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. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 5 people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 6 members of staff, the registered manager, a team leader, service improvement officer and area manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 people’s care records and medication records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment, supervision and training and a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 27 May 2023

About the service

The Maples provides care 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 service. The service provided personal care to 26 people at the time of the inspection.

People’s experience of using this service

Risks to people were assessed, monitored, and managed. Staff followed guidance to minimise the risk of harm to people. There were systems in place to ensure people were protected from the risk of abuse. People told us they felt safe with staff and that staff treated them well.

People received their visits on time by the right amount of staff who were safely recruited, skilled and experienced. All applicants underwent a series of employment checks to make sure they were fit and suitable for the role. New staff completed induction training and all staff received ongoing training for their role.

Safe infection prevention and control (IPC) measures were followed to minimise the risk of the spread of infection, including those related to COVID-19.

Medicines were managed safely. People who required support with their medicines told us they received them at the right time. Medicines were managed by staff who were suitably trained and deemed competent.

People were involved in the completion of their assessments and care plans. Care plans reflected people’s needs and choices and were kept under review to make sure they were current and up to date.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People were treated with kindness and their privacy, dignity and independence was respected and promoted. People were involved in decisions about their care and staff respected their decisions and lifestyle choices.

People’s communication needs were assessed and understood and they were provided with information in a way they could understand.

Complaints were listened to and used to improve the quality of the service. People knew how to complain, and they told us they would complain if they were unhappy about something.

The service was well managed by a person who understood their role and responsibilities and regulatory requirements. The providers systems and processes for assessing, monitoring, and improving the service were used effectively. There was good oversight of the service on behalf of the provider and good partnership working with others to make sure people received all-round care and support.

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 23 September 2021, and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned 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