Yourlife (Chipping Norton)

Updated 9 September 2021

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one 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 did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. However, the new manager was in the process of applying to the Care Quality Commission to become the registered manager. This means that the provider is 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 three working days’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or the new manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 13 August 2021 and ended on 18 August 2021. We visited the office location on 18 August 2021.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with one relative, the manager, the area manager and an estate manager for another service. We also met with two members of staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and one person’s medicine records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We received feedback via email from one staff member and one friend of a person who used the service.

Updated 9 September 2021

About the service

Yourlife (Chipping Norton) is an extra care service, known as assisted living, providing personal care to two people (one person was in hospital at the time of this inspection). There are 58 flats within the building, most of these are privately owned.

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

Feedback we received from a relative and friend of a person using the service was positive. People benefitted from a caring staff team and were supported by regular staff which meant they experienced continuity of care. A relative confirmed if they were unhappy and had a complaint, they would talk with the manager, but had no concerns about the service.

People's needs were assessed prior to the commencement of the service. The assessment included people's health, physical and emotional needs. 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.

Staff received training that enabled them to perform well in their roles and told us they were supported, in particular since the new manager started just over a week before the inspection. The provider had procedures in place that guided staff how to escalate any safeguarding concerns.

Where people received support with taking their medicines, this had been carried out in line with good practice guidance. People were encouraged to meet their dietary and health care needs. The team worked with external professionals to ensure, when needed, people had access to healthcare services.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively. We had no concerns with infection control measures. Staff had access to personal protective equipment and communal areas of the building were cleaned on a regular basis.

There was a clear staffing structure and a new manager, who was awaiting their registration had been recently appointed. Regular audits took place on different aspects of the service to ensure people received a quality safe service.

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 28 May 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection as the service had been registered for over 12 months.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.