We carried out a review of the data available to us about Care Quality Services Erskine 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 Care Quality Services Erskine Court, you can give feedback on this service.
Not everyone living in Erskine Court 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.
We found the following examples of good practice.
The provider worked within government guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The provider had updated and adapted procedures related to infection control. There were individual risk assessments for people using the service and staff who were believed or confirmed to have COVID-19.
The provider had experienced workforce challenges affecting the adult social care sector. They had managed these internally to maintain a safe, compliant environment for people using the service. They continued to recruit new staff.
The provider had worked closely with the local authority housing service to make adaptations to the use of shared areas within the service, and to manage the risk of COVID-19 throughout.
The provider’s staff had adapted their roles to take on additional tasks and activities. This reduced the risk of COVID-19 transmission by limiting the number of professional and other visitors to the service at times of high risk. These tasks included monitoring people’s oxygen levels if they had tested positive for COVID-19, and additional cleaning duties to maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. The registered manager took and followed advice from both the provider’s organisation and local health and social care partners.
Allied Health-Services provide personal care services for people living in an extra care housing scheme at Erskine Court. Erskine Court is one of three extra care housing schemes in Southampton where Allied Health-Services are the personal care provider. People live in self-contained flats in a single block with some shared facilities. Allied Health-Services are not responsible for the management or maintenance of the building and facilities.
At the time of our inspection there were 25 people who received personal care services. Not everyone living at Erskine Court received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (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.
Allied Health-Services provided a 24 hour emergency call system which was available to all residents of Erskine Court, including those who did not have a contract for personal care services.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People we spoke with were happy they received a service that was effective, caring and responsive. Where they raised concerns with us about staffing levels and how the service was run, the registered manager already knew about them and had started actions to address them.
People received care and support that was safe. People were protected from avoidable harm and abuse by staff who were aware of their responsibilities to report any concerns. People were protected against other risks to their health and welfare. People had their prescribed medicines in line with their preferences.
People received care and support that was effective and based on detailed assessments and care plans which reflected published guidance and standards. 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.
There were caring relationships between people and staff. Staff had got to know people, their interests and families. Staff respected and promoted people’s privacy, dignity and independence. The service was designed to encourage people to be as independent as possible.
People’s care and support met their needs and reflected their preferences. Care plans were detailed and individual to the person. Care planning took into account people’s communication needs. People knew about the provider’s complaints process and how to use it if they had concerns.
The service was well led. There was focus on meeting people’s individual needs and preferences, taking into account sometimes complex needs. There were effective management and quality assurance processes supported by appropriate computer systems.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 18 January 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.
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.