Background to this inspection
Updated
4 May 2019
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection took place on 23 January 2019 and was announced. The service was given two working days’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service. We needed to be sure that the appropriate staff would be available in the office to assist with the inspection. The inspection was completed by one inspector.
We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us to give us some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We looked at all the information we have collected about the service. This included the last report and notifications the registered manager had sent us. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law.
We looked at paperwork for six people who receive a service. This included support plans, daily notes and other documentation, such as medication records. In addition, we looked at records related to the running of the service. These included a sample of health and safety, quality assurance, staff recruitment and training records.
On the day of the inspection we spoke with seven people, one relative, three staff and spent time with the registered manager. We requested information from five professionals and the local safeguarding team. We received positive responses from the safeguarding team and the two professionals who responded.
Updated
4 May 2019
This was an announced inspection which took place on 23 January 2019.
Charles Clore Court extra sheltered housing is a domiciliary care agency run by Reading Borough Council. It 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. Charles Clore Court provides people with ordinary flats within the purpose-built building. They can make use of shared facilities such as a dining room, specially adapted bathroom and lounges. The accommodation is rented, and is the occupant’s own home.
The agency has an office within the building and are currently providing a service to approximately 30 of the 47people who live in the complex. However, this number fluctuates depending on the needs of individuals. The service supports people with diverse needs including dementia, learning disabilities, sensory impairment and physical disabilities.
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.
At the last inspection, on 08 July 2016, the service was rated as good in all domains. This meant that the service was rated as overall good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
Why the service is rated Good.
People, staff and visitors were protected from harm by staff who were regularly trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults and health and safety policies and procedures. They understood what they needed to do if they had any concerns about safety. Risks were identified and action was taken to reduce them, as far as possible. People were supported to take their medicines safely (if they needed support in this area). People were supported by care staff whose values and attitudes had been tested and who had been safely recruited.
Staff met people’s needs safely and effectively. There were enough staff who were given enough time to meet people’s needs. The service did not accept care packages if they could not meet individuals' identified needs.
Care staff continued to be trained and supported to enable them to meet people’s individual needs. Care staff were effective in meeting people’s needs as described in plans of care. The service worked closely with health and other professionals to meet people’s specific or complex needs.
People were assisted to have maximum choice and control of their lives and care staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People were provided with kind and compassionate care. Consistent care staff built good working relationships with people. Care staff encouraged people to be as independent as they could be.
The service continued to be flexible and responsive and could meet people’s current and changing needs and preferences. People’s needs were reviewed regularly to ensure the care provided was up-to-date. Care plans included information to ensure people’s individual communication needs were understood.
The registered manager was described as very supportive. The service assessed, reviewed and improved the quality of care provided. The service worked closely with other professionals to respond to the changing needs and expectations of the local community.
Further information is available in the detailed findings.