About the service Amblers Orchard provides 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. 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 service.
Not everyone using the service received regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.
The service provided personal care to 19 people at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
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 in the service supported this practice. However, we found examples of inconsistent application of the policies. We saw people's mental capacity to make decisions was being considered, but this was not always recorded. This was an area the registered manager had already identified for improvement. We made a recommendation for the provider to review this area.
People told us they felt safe at the service. Relatives agreed their loved ones received safe care. Risk assessments were in place and showed what action had been taken to mitigate identified risks. Medication was managed safely. The provider followed safe recruitment procedures.
People were supported to access relevant healthcare services when they needed them, and they were supported to eat and drink well.
People were supported by staff that were caring, compassionate and respectful. People's independence was promoted, and their confidentiality was protected.
People received care that met their needs. People had opportunities to take part in activities and outings of their choice.
People and relatives shared positive feedback about the quality of care and the management of the service. There was an open culture within the service, where people, staff and healthcare professionals could approach the registered manager with any suggestions or concerns. There were systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. We considered this guidance as there were people using the service who have a learning disability and or who are autistic.
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 1 June 2021 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, which will help inform when we next inspect.