Oliver Court

Updated 7 November 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 12 September 2017, was unannounced and undertaken 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.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service: what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also reviewed information we had received about the service such as notifications. This is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. We also spoke with community healthcare professionals and local safeguarding teams.

During the inspection we spoke with eight people living at the service. We spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, medicines champion, and five members of care staff. Following the inspection we spoke with two relatives and three social care professionals. We also observed the interactions between staff and people.

To help us assess how people’s care needs were being met we reviewed five people’s care records and other information, including risk assessments and medicines records. We reviewed maintenance files and a selection of records which monitored the safety and quality of the service.

Updated 7 November 2017

Oliver Court is a residential home that provides care, support and accommodation for up to 24 people who have mental health support needs. At the time of our inspection there were 24 people living in the home. The inspection took place on 12 September 2017, and was unannounced.

There was 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.

Clear and accurate records were not always being kept of medicines administered by staff. Guidance in relation to ‘as required’ medicines needed to be clearer to ensure staff knew when to give these. Storage for temperature sensitive medicines required improvement; there was not a designated fridge for these types of medicines.

Activity provision was provided by staff working in the service. However, some feedback suggested this was not always meeting the individual or specialist needs of people on a day to day basis.

When people moved between services, processes for sharing relevant information with others needed to be more robust, particularly in relation to known risks. The registered manager took prompt action to rectify this.

Staffing levels needed to be reviewed to take account of people’s changing needs.

Care plans were developed and maintained for people who used the service. Care plans covered support needs and personal preferences. Plans were reviewed and updated at regular intervals and information was sought from appropriate professionals as and when required.

Risk assessments were in place to help protect people from avoidable harm. Assessments contained detailed guidance for staff about how to minimise the risk of harm whilst protecting people's rights and freedoms.

The service acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) when necessary. People were supported to make their own choices and this was reflected in their care records.

Staff had been trained in safeguarding topics. The registered manager had a good understanding of safeguarding processes and followed these in practice. Thorough recruitment processes were followed before staff started work. This reduced the risk of unsuitable people being employed.

People were supported by well trained, skilled staff. Staff supervision and meetings were taking place, which meant staff had the opportunity to reflect on and develop their practice. Training was provided for staff to enable them to carry out tasks effectively.

People were supported to seek and attend healthcare support as required to promote their health.

There was a complaints process in place. Feedback from people, relatives and others was responded to, analysed, and actions taken were logged.

The registered manager and provider had implemented a range of assurance systems to monitor the quality and effectiveness of the service provided. This included an annual assessment undertaken by an independent consultant. Systems were in place to seek feedback from all people who used the service as a means to develop and improve service delivery.

Staff were positive about ways in which the service was managed and the support received from the management team. The registered manager was described as approachable and part of the team; they promoted the values of the service and we saw that they led by example.