Background to this inspection
Updated
2 July 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.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert 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.
Extra Care Housing
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.
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
We gave short notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we held about the service. 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 six people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We received written feedback from three members of staff. We spoke with the registered manager. We received written feedback from three professionals who had worked with the service.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and medicine records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, staff training and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service including the staff rotas, policies and audits were also reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at medicines administration records audits and examples of how staff had supported people.
Updated
2 July 2021
About the service
Audrey Needham House is registered to provide personal care 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. 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 only looked at people's personal care service.
At Audrey Needham House there are 40 extra care flats. There is a café and communal facilities for socialising and dining.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt staff were exceptionally caring and went above and beyond to promote their dignity. Staff were highly skilled at helping people regain and maintain their independence. Staff knew people extremely well, helped them to maintain important relationships and prevented them from becoming isolated. Care and support plans were extremely detailed and captured people’s needs, preferences, personalities and life aspirations.
People were supported by staff who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Risks to people were thoroughly assessed and people were protected from harm and abuse and the risk of getting an infection.
The registered manager ensured enough staff were deployed to provide safe, personalised care for people.
Staff worked collaboratively with professionals from health and social care to ensure people’s health and wellbeing needs were met.
People were involved in making decisions about their care and support. Staff sought people’s views on care provided and acted on their feedback.
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 felt the service was well managed and the registered manager was friendly and approachable, and responded promptly to their queries and concerns. People were regularly invited to give feedback on the service.
Staff felt the registered manager was highly supportive and approachable. They were encouraged and supported to be involved in improving the service.
There was a comprehensive system of reviews and audits to maintain and improve quality and safety in the service. The registered manager had a detailed understanding of the service and a vision to deliver high-quality, individualised care which promoted people’s independence.
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 3 October 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.