Bocking Alms Houses

Updated 14 January 2020

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 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 a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

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 a short period notice of the inspection because we wanted staff to let people and families know we were inspecting the service. We also needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 22 November 2019 and ended on 28 November 2019. The inspector visited the office location on 25 and 26 November and the Expert by Experience made phone calls to families of people at the service on 27 and 28 November.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection, such as information the provider has to send us about incidents which occur at the service.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people and 12 relatives to find out their views about the service. Where people were not able verbally to communicate with us, or chose not to, we used observation to gather evidence of their experiences of the care they received. We met or spoke with three members of care staff, three senior care staff, the registered manager and an area manager. We reviewed a range of records, including two people's care records. We looked at information relating to the management of the service, including staff files and quality audits.

After the inspection

The registered manager sent us information which we requested. We received feedback from a trustee, two health and social care professional and one community representative who had contact with this service.

Updated 14 January 2020

About the service

This service provides care and support to people living in a supported living setting in the village of Bocking. 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. At the time of our inspection, 13 people with learning disabilities were receiving personal care at the service.

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

Feedback from people and families was positive. A relative told us, “I would definitely recommend the service we are all happy my family member is cared for well.”

The registered manager was a strong and committed leader. They were an excellent role model and promoted an open enabling culture where people were at the centre of the service.

Risk was well managed at the service. Staff supported people to make choices, ensuring they had the necessary information to manage their own risks. The service used technology positively to help people remain safe. Staff took the necessary action when they were concerned about a person’s safety. Arrangements were in place for the safe administration of medicines and staff were recruited in a safe way. There was a positive culture around learning from mistakes to improve the service.

Staff assessed people’s needs to ensure they were able to provide the necessary support. Care plans provided staff with practical guidance and information. Staff were skilled and supported well in their role. People were supported with their nutritional needs, where required. Staff promoted people’s health and wellbeing and supported them to access a range of health care professionals.

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.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice, inclusion and independence. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People had developed close, trusting relationships with a stable and committed staff team. They were encouraged to express their views and make choices about their care. Staff promoted people’s rights and treated them with dignity and respect, encouraging them to maximise their independence.

Support was flexible, person-centred and adjusted to people’s changing needs. People had varied lives and received support to develop their interests. Staff used different communication methods with people to ensure they received information in a manner they would understand. People and their representatives knew how to raise any concerns and were confident they would be dealt with effectively.

Morale was good at the service. People benefitted from a positive atmosphere and a stable staff team. The provider supported improvements at the service. There were thorough audits to check the quality of care. Feedback was encouraged, and the information gathered was used to make the service better.

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 (published 19 May 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection to check the quality of the service.