About the service Elmthorpe Convent Domiciliary Care is a domiciliary care agency providing care to people [sisters] of Saint John of God Hospitaller Services in their own rooms within a purpose built building laid out over two floors at Elmthorpe Convent in Oxford. At the time of our inspection five people were receiving the regulated activity of personal care from the service. Not everyone using the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care, which 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 were kept safe from abuse and harm, and staff had the training, knowledge and experience to report any suspicions concerning abuse. The registered manager had systems in place to report and investigate concerns. Risks had been assessed and in place to manage the risk of harm to people. There were sufficient staff available to keep people safe and meet their needs. Recruitment processes and checks were in place to allow the registered manager to make safe recruitment decisions.
Staff members were trained to enable them to safely meet people's needs. Records evidenced that supervision meetings for staff were held regularly and staff told us they were well supported to perform their roles. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff provided them with care in the least restrictive way possible and acted in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service promoted this practice.
People's care plans were person-centred and focused on what was important to people. Care plans were regularly reviewed, and people were involved in the reviews. Staff supported people to maintain their faith and familiar lifestyle within the convent setting. People felt part of their community, within the convent and remained in close contact with the convent sisters. Being part of their lifelong ‘family’ gave people a sense of purpose and wellbeing. This gave an atmosphere of calmness and serenity in the building.
Relatives and staff spoke highly of the management; they found them approachable and supportive. Staff were given appropriate responsibility which was continuously monitored and checked by the manager. There were effective systems to monitor, maintain and improve the quality of the service and the registered manager worked closely with the senior sister to ensure care and support were provided appropriately, and in keeping with the ethos and traditions of the order.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
This service was registered with us on 12 April 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection of an unrated service.
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.