Housing 21 - Lonsdale Court

Updated 14 September 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. 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

The inspection was conducted by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. 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 bought or 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

This inspection was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice to ensure staff would be available at the office location. We also asked them to seek the permission of people who used the service, for us to visit them.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we had received about Housing 21 – Lonsdale Court since the last inspection. 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 this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

At the site visit, we spoke with the registered manager, two assistant care managers and three care workers. We reviewed four people’s care records. We looked at information kept regarding the management of the service. This included three staff records and records related to the quality and safety of the service. We requested some additional evidence to be sent to us. This was received, and the information was used as part of our inspection.

We spoke with six people who received personal care and support and two relatives.

We emailed all staff for their feedback and to ask questions about their skills and knowledge. We received five responses. We also received feedback from a local authority social worker and an occupational therapist who worked in partnership with the service.

Updated 14 September 2019

About the service

Housing 21 – Lonsdale Court is an extra-care scheme. The building, known as a ‘Court’ has 29 apartments. At the time of this inspection, 31 older people lived at Lonsdale Court, of which 26 received personal care.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

People received high-quality, person-centred care. Their privacy and dignity were protected by staff who were caring and respectful.

People felt very safe living at Lonsdale Court with support from staff, who knew them very well. People’s care needs were assessed, and action was taken to reduce any risks. The registered manager recorded and monitored accidents and incidents to minimise the likelihood of a reoccurrence.

People were cared for by trained and competent staff who were fully supported by the registered manager in their roles. Staff worked well with external professionals to ensure people achieved positive outcomes.

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 were involved in developing their care plans and making decisions. They were encouraged to maintain or regain their independence. The service was very flexible and was often changed to meet people’s ongoing needs.

Staff arranged communal social activities to help reduce loneliness and promote socialisation. People were encouraged to join in and pursue their own interests and hobbies.

The registered manager carefully monitored safety and quality through checks and audits. High standards were achieved through continuous improvements.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (report published 23 February 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.