Moor Allerton Care Centre

Updated 2 June 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This comprehensive inspection took place 12 and 13 April 2018. It was unannounced on the first day and was carried out by one inspector and one Senior Qualitative Analyst. The second day was announced.

Before our inspection, we reviewed all the information we held about the service, including previous inspection reports and statutory notifications sent to us by the provider. Statutory notifications contain information about changes, events or incidents that the provider is legally required to send us. We also contacted the local authority, other stakeholders, and Healthwatch to gather their feedback and views about the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During our inspection, we spoke with four people who used the service, one relative, three care workers, the deputy manager and the registered manager. We spent time looking at documents and records relating to people's care and the management of the service. We looked in detail at four people's care plans, medicine records, four staff personal files and a variety of policies and procedures developed and implemented by the provider.

Updated 2 June 2018

This inspection took place on 12 and 13 April 2018. The inspection was unannounced on the first day. This meant the staff and provider did not know we would be visiting. The second day was announced.

Moor Allerton Care Centre is a domiciliary care agency a complex of two houses called Rose Court and Yew Tree Court. It provides a service to older adults. Not everyone using Moor Allerton Care Centre services receives a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided. At the time of our inspection, 40 people were using the service.

There was a registered manager at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Some people who used the service did not have capacity to make decisions. We found not all people had a completed mental capacity assessment in place when this was required. The registered manager had not received training on how to complete the assessment forms. We recommended the provider research the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to ensure best practice.

People were protected from avoidable harm and abuse. There was a safeguarding and whistleblowing policy which staff followed.

Accident and incidents were managed effectively and actions taken to avoid re occurrences. Risk assessments were in place to keep people safe and reviewed regularly.

Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and robust systems were in place to recruit new staff. Staff received training to ensure they can meet people’s needs and completed regular updates. Staff told us they felt supported and had regular supervisions and annual appraisals.

Medicines were managed safely and protocols were in place for when ‘as required’ medicines were administered. Staff followed the provider’s policy that ensured people always received their medicines and this was recorded.

People living in the home had positive relationships with the staff. They told us staff were kind and caring.

Care plans were person centred and individualised to meet people’s needs. People’s privacy and dignity was respected by staff and people were involved with their care planning. People using the service were given explanations by staff about their care and encouraged to be independent.

People were offered choices about their care and there was useful contacts available for advocacy services should people wish to have further support to help them make decisions.

People were supported with their nutritional needs and health care professionals were involved in peoples care when needed.

Complaints were managed effectively and people and staff told us they felt confident to raise any concerns and that they would be managed promptly. The provider had also received a number of compliments.

There was a registered manager in post who was visible and people knew who they were.

The provider had developed strong community links which gave people options of activities, access to places and reduced social isolation.

Surveys were provided to people, to gather their views of the service. The quality of care was monitored through governance systems and audits which highlighted where improvements were needed.