St James Court consists of 12 apartments for older people. The accommodation is part of the 'Extracare' service offered by Heritage Care. Heritage Care provides support and personal care to people living at St James Court. At the time of our inspection, 12 people were living at St James Court.
St James Court has a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. St James Court also had a co-ordinator who was responsible for the day to day running on the service.
This inspection was undertaken over one day which involved speaking with the registered manager, members of staff, people who used the service and health and social care professionals.
People who lived at St James Court were complimentary about the service and staff. People told us they felt safe, were looked after by staff who knew their needs and were promoted to be as independent as possible.
Staff knew how to protect people from abuse, and how to raise any concerns to the appropriate authorities. Appropriate risk assessments were in place to protect people from potential risks and how to support people in a safe way which also protected their independence. Staffing levels were determined based on people’s needs and were sufficient in order to meet people’s needs in a timely manner. People told us staff were quick to act when they needed assistance.
Medicines were managed in a way which reduced potential risks. Where people were able to self-administer their medicines, this was done in a safe and risk assessed manner. The service had adopted strategies such as daily checks to ensure medicines were managed safely.
Recruitment checks were undertaken to ensure staff suitability to work with people living at St James Court.
Staff told us they felt supported in their roles and worked well as a team. Inductions were in place for new staff members to ensure their competency and suitability before working alone. Supervisions were provided on a regular basis. Staff were aware of who their supervisor was, and the purpose of supervision. Training was provided to staff including refresher training when needed. Staff told us training had helped them develop as workers. Where additional training had been identified, this was sought and delivered. For example, dementia training.
Staff were knowledgeable around their roles and responsibilities when working with people around consent and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Staff were able to explain what the MCA and DoLS meant, and how this affected the people they worked with. Where required, mental capacity assessments were completed along with evidence of best interest meetings.
People were supported to meet their nutrition and hydration needs, for example either being provided meals from the sister home, or promoted to cook and order their own meals. Clear guidelines were in place in people’s care plans around their nutritional needs and what support was required from staff. Where people were identified at risk of weight loss, appropriate support and procedures were put in place.
People told us they were looked after by staff who were kind and caring. We observed people being supported with their lunch in the communal dining area in a dignified and respectful manner. Staff showed how they promoted people’s independence and demonstrated respectful practices, for example, asking people’s permission and knocking on people’s doors before entering.
People’s care plans were detailed and person centred. Care plans were regularly reviewed when people’s needs changed and people were supported to be involved in their own care planning. The service maintained good links with health professionals such as doctors and visiting district nurses to ensure people’s health needs were met. This was confirmed by a visiting district nurse who stated “This is a lovely home. People are well looked after.”
Activities were provided in both St James Court and in their sister home. During our inspection, people were supported to visit the sister home to take part in the afternoon activities provided. People also told us they were supported to leave the service to undertake personal tasks such as visiting loved ones. People were also invited to take part in regular meetings to provide feedback on the service.
Audits were taken within the service to provide quality assurance. Comments and complaints were acted upon appropriately. The service maintained a calm, well maintained and co-corroborative way of working. Throughout our inspection, we found the registered manager and co-ordinator to be visible and available to people when requested.