We carried out a review of the data available to us about Sagecare Olsen Court on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Sagecare Olsen Court, you can give feedback on this service.
Sagecare Olsen Court is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people living in their own homes within an extra care housing complex which contained a number of flats in one building . At the time of the inspection there were 29 people using the service.
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
Risks to people had been assessed and reviewed on a regular basis, and their care plans provided staff with guidance to meet their needs safely. They were supported with administration of their medicines when required. People using the service were protected from the risk of abuse as staff understood their roles in keeping people safe.
People were supported by staff who had received appropriate training for their roles and who knew people well. Staff recruitment processes ensured staff were suitable and safe to work with vulnerable people.
There were enough staff to provide consistent care for people. People were supported to maintain their health, and had received health care services when needed. Where needed, staff supported people to prepare food and drink to meet people’s dietary needs and requirements.
Staff followed procedures to protect people from infection. They were supervised, and their practice was checked to ensure they provided care that people needed.
People made decisions about their care which were documented in their care plans and respected by staff. 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 supported by kind and caring staff who they trusted. People’s privacy, dignity and independence was promoted. Their communication needs were met and understood by staff.
People received person centred care. Staff had a good understanding of people’s needs and their individual preferences. Care plans were personalised and took account of people’s lifestyle interests. Staff worked flexibly to enable people to maintain their independence and contact with family and the wider community. People had the opportunity to express their wishes in relation to end of life care.
People and staff felt the management team were approachable and responsive. There were systems and processes in place to assess and monitor the quality of care provided. The manager was aware of their legal responsibilities and notified the Care Quality Commission as required. The views of people, relatives and staff were sought. The manager shared information and learning with the staff team when things went wrong. People were confident complaints would be listened to and acted on.
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 Requires Improvement (published 30 March 2019).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. The overall rating for the service has improved to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Sagecare Olsen Court on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.
Sagecare Olsen Court is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. It offers a service to older and younger people living with dementia, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, physical disabilities and sensory impairments.
The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. At the time of our inspection there was no person with a learning disability using the service.
During our inspection there were 33 people using the service. The provider registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 9 October 2017; this was the provider’s first inspection.
We found a lack of completed and accurate records. Care plans did not always detail people’s specific needs and one body map was inaccurate. Medicines administration records (MARs) did not always record when staff had administered medicines and re-positioning charts were not always completed by staff to show when they had supported a person. We made a recommendation for records to be improved.
Although people we spoke with said they received their medicines, instructions on MARs were not accurate and there were no protocols in place for those people who needed ‘as required’ medicines to ensure staff knew why and when these medicines would be required. We made a recommendation to ensure medicines were managed safely.
The provider had robust systems and procedures in place to keep people safe. Staff were competent in their knowledge of what constituted abuse and how to safeguard people.
Risk assessments had been completed and reviewed regularly. Accidents and incidents were managed effectively and action taken to prevent future risks.
Staffing levels were appropriate and flexible to meet people’s needs. The rota’s we looked at showed consistency where possible and people told us they usually had the same staff completing their visits. Recruitment procedures were robust to ensure staff were of suitable character to work in a caring role.
Staff carried out training to ensure they had adequate skills and knowledge to meet people's needs. Staff were supported with regular supervision and appraisals.
Staff were kind, caring and friendly. Peoples communication needs were identified and alternative communications were used to allow people to make choices about their care. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and people were supported to be independent.
People received personalised care and support. People had been involved in identifying their needs, choices and preferences and how these should be met. People were supported to do activities to avoid social isolation and promote wellbeing.
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.
Care records clearly identified nutritional and dietary needs as some people using the service required specific plans due to their risk of choking. People were supported to live a healthy life and staff supported people to access health care professionals when required.
The provider had not received any complaints but understood their responsibility to act upon and investigate to prevent future occurrences.
People and staff described the management team at Olsen court as inclusive, approachable and supportive. Staff told us they felt supported and felt confident to raise any concerns. Regular staff meetings took place which encourage people to develop their skills and knowledge.
The provider carried out audits to ensure quality assurance checks had been completed. This meant the provider had oversight of what was happening at the service and had identified issues we identified at the inspection. Surveys and telephone quality assurance checks were carried out to gather people's views and ensure actions were taken to improve the quality of care being provided.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.