Updated 9 September 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 looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out 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 [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] service.
The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. However, the new manager was in the process of applying to the Care Quality Commission to become the registered manager. This means that the provider is 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 three working days’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or the new manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 13 August 2021 and ended on 18 August 2021. We visited the office location on 18 August 2021.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with one relative, the manager, the area manager and an estate manager for another service. We also met with two members of staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and one person’s medicine records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We received feedback via email from one staff member and one friend of a person who used the service.