Archived: Blake Court

Updated 18 May 2016

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.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. Prior to our visit we also reviewed the information we held about the service. This included inspection history, any safeguarding or complaints and notifications that the provider had sent to CQC. Notifications are information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law.

This inspection took place on the 17 March 2016 and was unannounced. This inspection was carried out by one inspector. We spoke with four people using the service, the registered manager and four members of staff during the course of our visit. People were able to give us direct feedback about their care and experiences.

We looked at records about people’s care, including three files of people who used the service. We checked records kept for staff recruitment, training, supervision and staff allocation. We looked around the premises and at records for the management of the service including quality assurance arrangements, action plans and health and safety records. We also reviewed how medicines were managed and the records relating to this.

Following our inspection, we telephoned two people’s relatives and two health and social care professionals to obtain their views about Blake Court. The registered manager also sent us information we had requested about quality assurance findings, staff training and development records.

Updated 18 May 2016

This inspection took place on 17 March 2016 and was unannounced. At our previous inspection in December 2013, we found the provider was meeting the regulations we inspected.

Blake Court provides accommodation and care for up to four people with physical disabilities. The accommodation is made up of four self-contained flats which are owned by Croydon Churches Housing Association, but are managed and staffed by Scope. There were four people using the service at the time of this inspection. The reader should note that we also refer to people who use the service as 'customers' within parts of this report.

There was a registered manager who had worked in the service since November 2013. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People told us they felt safe and were given information about how to report any concerns. Staff knew how to recognise and respond to abuse correctly and had received safeguarding training. People were encouraged to take positive risks and live their lives to the fullest. They were supported to overcome challenges and negative attitudes. People’s needs were assessed and reviewed regularly to ensure people were kept safe.

The recruitment and selection process ensured staff had the right skills and experience to support the people who used the service. People received effective care and support because there were enough staff who were trained to meet their needs. Staff understood their roles, responsibilities and were supported to maintain and develop their knowledge and skills through ongoing supervision and training.

People living at Blake Court all had capacity to make decisions about their care. Their rights were protected because the registered manager and staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. This is legislation that protects people who are not able to consent to their care and support, and ensures people are not unlawfully restricted of their freedom or liberty.

People were at the forefront of the service and were cared for as individuals and encouraged to develop and maintain their independence. People were active members of their local community and led busy and fulfilling lives. Staff supported individuals to maintain their hobbies and interests. The registered manager and staff were constantly looking into new ideas and opportunities for people. Individuals had enjoyed new experiences, gained new skills and increased their independence.

People made decisions about their care and had personalised support plans that they had created. The care plan records included important information on how each person liked to live their life. Staff knew people well and were able to explain what mattered most to individuals. People were involved in reviewing and providing feedback on the care and support they received. The service was responsive to their changing needs or circumstances because people’s needs were consistently monitored and reviewed.

People were supported to keep healthy and their nutritional needs and preferences were met. Any changes to their health or wellbeing or accidents and incidents were responded to quickly. Referrals were made to other professionals to help keep them safe and well. There was ongoing monitoring and reassessment of risks which ensured that staff took actions to protect people. Medicines were managed appropriately and people had their medicines at the times they needed them.

Staff were aware of the values of the service and the care they provided was centred on each individual. Our discussions with staff showed they applied these values in everyday practice. People’s independence was recognised and encouraged; they led their chosen lifestyle and had the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. Staff showed understanding; patience and people were treated with respect and dignity.

Blake Court was safely maintained and considered the needs of people with physical and sensory disabilities. People were provided with the equipment they needed to promote their independence and meet their assessed needs. Individual flats were furnished to comfortable standards and homely. The standards of décor and personalisation by people who used the service supported this.

People told us they found the staff and management approachable and could speak to them if they were concerned about anything. The registered manager and staff were committed to make sure people living at Blake Court were at the centre of its services. People and those important to them were closely involved in developing the service. People were frequently consulted about the care and support they received. Where people made suggestions or raised issues, they were listened to and resulted in change. Comprehensive quality assurance audits were used to monitor the quality of the service and plan improvements. There were systems in place to ensure that people received their care and support in line with best practice.

Staff experienced effective leadership and direction from the registered manager who in turn had full support and guidance from the provider. The staff were motivated and passionate about the quality of care provided and followed a person centred approach to supporting and empowering people. The registered manager led by example and there were innovative systems in place to develop staff and promote reflective practice.