Background to this inspection
Updated
3 January 2019
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider was 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 inspection site visit took place on 24 October 2018 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours-notice of the inspection. This was because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that there would be someone available to speak with us. The inspection team consisted of one inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Before the inspection we looked at the information we held about the service. This included statutory notifications that the provider had sent CQC. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. 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.
We spoke with 12 people using the service, four members of care staff, the operations manager and the registered manager. We reviewed records, including the care records of five people using the service, recruitment files and training records for four staff members. We also looked at records related to the management of the service such quality audits, accident and incident records, and policies and procedures.
Updated
3 January 2019
This inspection took place on 24 October 2018. This was the first inspection of the service. Hazelhurst Court is an extra care service that provides support to up to 60 people in their own flats on the premises. At the time of the inspection the service was delivering personal care to 29 people. CQC does not regulate premises used for extra care housing and 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.
There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.
There were appropriate safeguarding procedures in place to protect people from the risk of abuse. Staff confidently described the different types of abuse and knew who to contact to report their concerns. There was a whistle-blowing procedure available and staff said they would use it if they needed to. Risks to people were assessed and care plans and risk assessments provided clear information and guidance for staff on how to support people to meet their needs. People’s medicines were managed safely. Accidents and incidents were appropriately managed and learning from them was disseminated to staff. People were protected from the risk of infection. Staff were able to describe what they did to prevent the risk of infection. There were enough staff deployed to meet people’s needs and the provider followed safe recruitment practices.
Staff completed an induction when they started work and a programme of regular training and supervisions to enable them to effectively carry out their roles. People's needs were assessed prior to joining the service to ensure their needs could be met. 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. Staff told us they asked for people’s consent before offering support. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink and had access to healthcare professionals when required to maintain good health. The service supported people when they moved between services through effective communication to ensure their care and support needs were coordinated well.
Staff were caring and respected people’s privacy and dignity. People were involved in making decisions about their daily care and support needs. People were supported to be independent wherever possible. People were provided with information about the service when they joined in the form of a 'service user guide' so they were aware of the services and facilities on offer.
People were involved in planning their care needs. People's religious beliefs were recorded and the manager told us that people were supported to meet their individual diverse needs when required. People were aware of the service's complaints procedures and knew how to make a complaint if necessary. People’s end of life wishes were recorded in their care plans.
Regular monitoring of the quality and safety of the service was carried out. The provider carried out spot competency checks to make sure people were being supported in line with their care plans. Regular staff meetings were held and feedback was sought from people about the service. Staff were complimentary about the registered manager. There was an out of hours on call system in operation that ensured management support and advice was always available when staff needed it.
The registered manager was knowledgeable about the requirements of a registered manager and their responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2014. Notifications were submitted to the CQC as required. The philosophy of the service was to provide a range of services that give people the support and care they need as they move into later life. The provider worked in partnership with the housing provider to ensure people received a high-quality service.