Trees

Updated 25 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 team consisted of two inspectors, 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:

Trees provides care and support to people living in specialist 'extra care' housing. The provision of personal care is regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

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:

Our inspection was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be available on the day. Our inspection process commenced on 30 April 2019 and concluded on the 2 May 2019.

What we did:

Our inspection was informed by evidence we already held about the service including any statutory notifications. A statutory notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. The provider had completed 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.

We spoke with eleven people who used the service and five relatives.

We spoke with the registered manager, the team leader, one volunteer, the activities coordinator and three care staff.

We reviewed four people's care records, including medicine records, three staff files that included recruitment, training and supervision records.

We checked other records related to the management of the regulated activity.

We requested additional evidence to be sent to us after our inspection. This was received, and the information was used as part of our inspection.

Updated 25 May 2019

About the service:

Trees is an "extra care" housing provision operated by Hill Homes Care Limited. 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 the premises used for extra care housing; this inspection looked at people's personal care and support service.

At the time of this inspection, approximately 37 people were receiving care support.

People’s experience of using this service:

People told us they were well treated by the staff and felt safe with them.

Staff understood their responsibilities to keep people safe from potential abuse, bullying or discrimination.

Risks had been identified, ways to reduce these risks had been explored and followed appropriately.

People told us they were satisfied with medicines support.

People were treated as individuals who had different likes, dislikes, needs and preferences.

Staff upheld and respected people’s diversity. Staff challenged discriminatory practice.

People’s needs were assessed and had individualised care plans that were regularly reviewed.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported to raise any concerns or complaints if they were unhappy with their care.

People told us that the management listened to them and acted on their suggestions and wishes.

Staff were positive about working for Trees and told us they appreciated the support, encouragement they received from the management.

The management team worked in partnership with other organisations to support care provision, service development and joined-up care.

Rating at last inspection:

Requires improvement (report published on 12 June 2018).

Why we inspected:

This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.

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