Archived: Westwood Extra Care Scheme

Although there had been a change of registered provider since our last inspection in April 2017, this was in name only. The organisation’s ‘nominated individual’ and the registered manager remained the same. At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

Suitable arrangements were in place to keep people safe. Policies and procedures were followed and understood by the management team and staff to safeguard people. Risks to people were identified and managed to help people lead the life they wanted. The domiciliary care service was appropriately staffed to meet the needs of people using the service. Medication practices were safe, however improvements were required to ensure people’s prescribed medication was available. Recruitment procedures were followed to ensure the right staff were employed. People were protected by the service’s arrangements for the prevention and control of infection. Arrangements were in place for learning and making necessary improvements when things go wrong.

Staff had a thorough induction to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively. Staff had the right competencies and skills to meet people’s needs. Suitable arrangements were in place for staff to receive formal supervision at regular intervals. People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible. People told us staff supported them as needed with meal preparation and the provision of drinks and snacks throughout the day. People received appropriate healthcare support as and when needed from a variety of services and professionals.

People told us they were treated with care, kindness, dignity and respect. People were supported to maintain their independence where possible. People told us they received a good level of care and support that met their needs. Staff had a good knowledge and understanding of people’s specific care and support needs and how they wished to be cared for and supported.

Support plans were in place to reflect how people would like to receive their care and covered all aspects of a person's individual circumstances. People confirmed there were infrequent social activities provided for them to join in, mainly because of low attendance and people wishing to do their own thing. Information about how to make a complaint was available and people told us they were confident to raise issues or concerns.

Suitable arrangements were in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service provided. There was a positive culture within the service that was person-centred, open and inclusive. The service sought people’s views about the quality of the service provided and these were positive.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

At the last inspection on 17 and 18 February 2016, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good and was meeting the fundamental standards. There were 11 people using the service.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• Suitable arrangements were in place to keep people safe. Policies and procedures were followed by staff to safeguard people and staff understood these measures. Risks to people were identified and managed to help people lead the life they wanted. The scheme was appropriately staffed to meet the needs of people using the service. People received their medication as prescribed and in safe way. Recruitment procedures were followed to ensure the right staff were employed.

• Staff had a thorough induction to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively. Staff had the right competencies and skills to meet people’s needs. Suitable arrangements were in place for staff to receive formal supervision and an appraisal. People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible. People told us that staff supported them as needed with meal preparation and the provision of drinks and snacks throughout the day. People receive appropriate healthcare support as and when needed from a variety of services.

• People told us they were treated with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. People told us that they received a good level of care and support that met their needs. Staff had a good knowledge and understanding of people’s specific care and support needs and how they wished to be cared for and supported.

• Support plans were in place to reflect how people would like to receive their care and support, and covered all aspects of a person's individual circumstances. People confirmed there were occasional social activities provided for them to join in. Information about how to make a complaint was available and people told us they were confident to raise issues or concerns.

• Suitable arrangements were in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service provided. There was a positive culture within the service that was person-centred, open and inclusive. The service sought people’s views about the quality of the service provided and had many positive comments to make about the staff and the registered manager.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Westwood Extra Care Scheme provides 24 hour care and support for up to 15 people in one bedroom flats. The Extra Care Scheme is managed and maintained by South Essex Homes on behalf of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. The care and support is provided by Mears Homecare Limited.

The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The management of medicines within the service required improvement so as to ensure that people received their prescribed medication and ensure people’s safety.

Staff had a good understanding and knowledge of safeguarding procedures and were clear about the actions they would take to protect the people they supported.

There were sufficient numbers of staff available to meet people’s needs. Appropriate recruitment checks were in place which helped to protect people and ensure staff were suitable to work at the service. Staff told us that they felt well supported in their role and were supervised.

Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were appropriately assessed, managed and reviewed. Support plans were sufficiently detailed and provided an accurate description of people’s care and support needs. People were supported to maintain good healthcare and had access to a range of healthcare services.

Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff demonstrated how to apply the principles of this legislation to their everyday practice and to help ensure that peoples’ rights were protected.

People were supported to be able to eat and drink satisfactory amounts to meet their nutritional and hydration needs.

People were treated with kindness and respected by staff. Staff understood people’s needs and provided care and support accordingly. Staff had a good relationship and rapport with the people they supported.

An effective system was available to respond to complaints and concerns. The provider’s quality assurance arrangements were appropriate to ensure that they strived towards and provided a high quality service.