Cliffords Mews

Updated 3 August 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

The inspection was undertaken 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 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.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 3 July 2023 and ended on 24 July 2023. We visited the location’s office/service on 10 July 2023 and 17 July 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We looked at 4 people’s care plans and a range of other documents related to the running of the service including medicine administration records, audit and review documents, staff files, training records and a range of other management files. We spoke with 3 people who used the service. We also spoke with 6 staff including the registered manager and 5 care workers. Following our visit to the service location we spoke with 3 professionals who support people using the service and 2 relatives. We also received email testimony from 2 additional relatives.

Updated 3 August 2023

About the service

Clifford’s Mews is a supported living service with extra care. This means people live in their own flats and receive additional help with their care needs. The service provides support to older adults, people with physical and mental health needs and people with sensory impairment. At the time of our inspection there were 65 people using the service. The service is registered to provide personal care.

Clifford’s Mews is a large purpose-built facility in a residential area of North Tyneside. The service consists of 45 single occupancy flats and 19 that are available for double occupancy. There are a range of communal facilities including a laundry area, communal lounge, a bistro/café area and an internal garden.

Not everyone who used the service may have 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 received safe and effective care from staff. They told us they felt safe when being supported by staff. Any safeguarding issues had been reported and dealt with appropriately. The were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and people told us they did not have to wait for support. Some relatives and staff felt nighttime support should be reviewed. Where people received support with medicines, we found processes were not always effective. We have made a recommendation about this. Staff followed appropriate procedures to limit the spread of infection.

People’s needs were met and their personal choices and wishes considered. Staff had received a range of training to help them deliver effective care. Staff worked with a range of agencies to ensure people were safe and well and their health supported. 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.

People and relatives were very positive about the care team and said all staff were kind, considerate and treated people with dignity. People’s independence was supported and promoted, where possible.

Care records were detailed and reflected people’s personal preferences and choices. People were supported to maintain friendships and keep in contact with families. Staff facilitated people to actively access activities or the local community. Complaints and concerns were considered, and action taken to address any shortfalls.

Management had a good understanding of their roles and duties with the service. Staff were positive about the support they received from managers and also promoted a positive culture within the service. People were supported to be involved in the running of the service. Staff said they could raise any concerns and felt these were taken seriously by managers. The service looked to learn lessons when things went wrong and worked closely with a range of professionals.

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 24 January 2022, and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led sections of this full report.

Recommendations

We recommend the provider review medicine administration processes to ensure they comply with national guidelines and recommendations and processes are revised in light of errors or omissions.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.