Background to this inspection
Updated
9 November 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 also looked at the provider’s infection control arrangements, so we could understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of two inspectors and two Experts 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 specialist ‘extra care’ housing. Extra care housing is purpose-built or adapted single household accommodation in a shared site or building. The accommodation is 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 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because we needed to be sure the office-based managers would all be available for us to speak with during our inspection. This two-day inspection started on 5/10/21 when we visited the scheme’s offices and ended on 08/10/21.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed all the information we had received about this 'extra care' housing scheme. 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 eight members of staff including the registered manager, shift supervisor, activities co-ordinator, support care workers, assistant manager and admin officer.
We reviewed a range of records. This included 12 people’s care records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We spoke with 16 people who used the service and seven relatives about their experience of the care provided.
Updated
9 November 2021
About the service
Creative Support - Prince of Wales Drive Extra Care Service is an 'extra care' housing scheme that provides personal care and support to people living in their own flats in a single multi-occupancy building.
The single adapted building comprises of 73 self-contained flats which are managed. Optivo Housing Association own the building and, as the property's landlord, are responsible for its maintenance.
At the time of our inspection, 41 people aged 55 and over were receiving personal care and support at the scheme. 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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were happy with the care and support they received. Comments included, “I do really like it here. They really look after me”, “It’s really lovely here. I have people around to help me. I can’t believe how lucky I am”, “I have a buzzer round my neck, that makes me safe and they come really, really quickly” and “I am very safe here.”
People were cared for in a safe manner that minimised the risk of harm and abuse. Risk assessments identified concerns to people’s health and well-being. Staff followed guidance in place to mitigate the risks people might face. Staff underwent checks to ensure their fitness to work in the health and social care setting. People received the support they required to take their medicines.
The provider had systems in place which enabled staff to follow best practice guidelines regarding the prevention and control of infection including those associated with COVID-19.
People were cared for by staff who were supported in their roles through induction, training and supervisions. There was a consistent and sufficient team of staff that provided care to people. This ensured people received continuity of care from staff who knew them well and were familiar with their needs and wishes.
People told us staff were kind, caring and compassionate. Staff obtained people's consent before providing care to them. People got on well with staff and had developed meaningful relations with them. Staff respected people’s privacy and upheld their dignity and human rights when providing care. Staff supported people to maintain their independence and to make choices about their lives.
The provider used their quality assurance systems effectively to develop the service. Improvements were made when needed. The registered manager ensured staff learnt lessons when things went wrong. People who used the service, their relatives and staff said the registered manager was keen to continuously improve the service. The provider worked in close partnership with other agencies to plan and deliver care and support.
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.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at the last inspection
This extra care scheme was previously included in a larger location covering multiple services, Mears Homecare Limited (London Bridge), registered to a provider who is no longer registered with the Commission. The last rating for the location under the previous provider’s registration was requires improvement (published 28 January 2016).
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 30/07/2020 and this is the first inspection.