Casson Court

Updated 23 November 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

This 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 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 had a manager registered with CQC. 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

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with 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 three people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including; the regional manager, two assistant care managers and three care staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found including training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 23 November 2021

About the service:

Casson Court is an extra care service which provides care and support to people who live in their own flats. The building is owned and maintained by a housing association. At the time of our inspection the service was providing personal care to 32 people.

People's experience of using this service

People were safe using this service. Carers were trained to safeguard people from abuse and knew how to minimise identified risks to people's safety. They followed best practice guidance when providing personal care and in regard to infection control.

There were enough staff available to meet people's needs. Managers carried out recruitment checks to make sure staff were suitable and fit to support people. Staff received relevant training to help them meet people's needs. Managers supported staff to review and improve their working practices so that people experienced high quality care and support.

People received the care and support that had been planned and agreed with them. People's care preferences were respected and staff delivered care in line with people’s wishes. People were encouraged to pursue their interests and hobbies. Staff knew people well and understood how their needs should be met. Managers checked with people at regular intervals the care and support provided was meeting their needs.

People told us staff were kind and caring. They supported people in a dignified, respectful way which maintained their privacy and independence. Managers made sure, wherever possible, people received support from the same carers, so care was provided in a consistent way. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were encouraged to stay healthy and keep well. Where applicable, people were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their needs and to take their prescribed medicines. Staff understood people's healthcare needs and how they should be supported in a timely and appropriate way. Staff worked well with other healthcare professionals involved in people's care. When people became unwell, help was sought for them promptly.

People and their relatives had no concerns about the care and support provided. They knew how to make a complaint if they needed to. Managers monitored and reviewed the quality of service that people experienced. They undertook regular checks on carers to make sure they were carrying out their duties appropriately and to a high standard. Managers sought people's views about how the service could improve.

There were arrangements in place to make sure any accidents, incidents and complaints would be fully investigated and people would be involved and informed of the outcome.

Managers understood their responsibility for meeting regulatory requirements. They worked proactively with other agencies and acted on their recommendations to design the care and support provided to people.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This was our first inspection since the service was registered with CQC on 11 June 2020

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection.

Follow up

The service was rated good. We will continue to monitor information and intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection guidelines. We may inspect sooner if any concerning information is received.