Barfields Court

Updated 25 December 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. 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

The inspection was carried out by an inspector.

Service and service type

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 bought or rented and is the occupant’s own home. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for extra care housing; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support service.

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 the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be available to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 14 November 2019 and ended on 21 November 2019. We visited the office location on both days and visited people in their own homes on the second day.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service including notifications which the provider is required by law to send us about certain events that happen within the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection. 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.

During the inspection

We visited six people in their own homes and a relative and spoke with them about their experiences of their care. We spoke with the registered manager, the scheme manager, the Nominated Individual and six members of care staff.

We reviewed a range of records including policies and procedures, and records relating to the management and monitoring of the quality of the service such as audits and surveys. We reviewed three people’s care records and pathway tracked one person’s care. This means we checked to ensure people had received all the care they required. We looked at three staff files in relation to staff recruitment, supervision and training.

After the inspection

The registered manager sent us further information we had requested. We contacted three health and social care professionals who were involved with the service for their views.

Updated 25 December 2019

About the service

Barfields Court consists of 52 individual flats within an extra care housing scheme. The service provides personal care for older people and adults under 65 years who require assistance with personal care. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting 30 people with personal care.

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

People spoke highly of the service and the positive difference it had made to their lives. People felt safe and well cared for. Individual risks associated with people’s health and care needs had been assessed and measures had been put in place to reduce the risks. Where people required assistance with their medicines, this was well managed. The provider had robust recruitment processes in place which ensured only staff suitable to work in social care were employed and there were enough staff to support people safely. Staff understood how to identify and report any concerns appropriately.

People’s needs were assessed before they started to receive a care package to ensure their needs could be met by the service. People were involved in developing their care plans in line with their wishes and preferences ensuring them maximum choice and control over their care. Staff asked people for their consent for day to day care and supported people with their nutritional needs where required. Staff received supervision, appraisals and regular training which enabled them to deliver effective care in line with best practice.

People told us they were very happy with the care they received. Staff treated people with dignity and respect, involved them in decisions about their care and promoted their independence. People received person centred support which met their needs, preferences and choices. People had no complaints but knew who to speak to if they did. People felt confident they would be listened to and issues would be resolved promptly.

The registered manager had encouraged an open and transparent culture which enabled people and staff to contribute their views about the service and drive improvement. Staff consistently told us they felt well supported and valued by the management team who were hands on and approachable. The registered manager had developed excellent links with local community groups and commissioners to promote joined up working.

Why we inspected

This service was registered with us on 13 December 2018 and this is the first inspection.

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