Archived: Sanctuary Home Care Ltd - Scarborough

Updated 16 February 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 checked 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 on 16 January 2018 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours' notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service providing support to people in their own homes. We needed to be sure that someone would be available at the office.

The inspection was carried out by an inspector. An expert by experience made visits to people who used the service on 16 January 2018 to gain their views. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service. The area of their expertise was in caring for older people.

As part of planning our inspection, we contacted the local Healthwatch and local authority safeguarding and quality performance teams to obtain their views about the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer group, which gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We reviewed information we held about the service, including the notifications we had received from the provider. Notifications are changes, events or incidents the provider is legally obliged to tell us about within required timescales.

The provider had been asked to complete a provider information return (PIR). A PIR 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. The provider had submitted the PIR within the required timescales.

During the inspection, we reviewed three people's care records containing care planning documentation and daily records. We looked at three staff files relating to their recruitment, supervision, appraisal and training. We viewed records relating to the management of the service and associated policies and procedures.

During the inspection, we spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager. We also spoke with one relative and seven people who used the service; we did this by visiting them in their own homes.

Updated 16 February 2018

Sanctuary Home Care Ltd – Scarborough is based in Eastfield, Scarborough. People who received care and support live in apartments located on the site. Sanctuary Home Care Limited are also the housing association that is responsible for the accommodation.

This service provides care and support 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 and support service. At the time of this inspection, the service was providing support to 25 people who were in receipt of a regulated activity at the extra care location.

The inspection took place on 16 January 2018 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours' notice because the location provides domiciliary care services and we needed to be sure that someone would be in the office. Visits to people who used the service also took place on 16 January 2018.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection, we found the service remained Good.

There was a manager in post who had registered with CQC who supported the running of the service.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of safeguarding people who may be vulnerable. They were aware of what to look for and knew how to report incidents. They knew the people they supported well. People we spoke with told us they felt safe, respected and well cared for.

People's medicines were managed safely and staff competency to administer medication was checked regularly by the registered manager.

Risks to people's health and safety had been identified and risk assessments were in place to guide staff.

Safe recruitment procedures had been followed. There was enough staff on duty to support people safely.

Staff had access to personal protective equipment and staff promoted good infection control practices.

A thorough induction was in place for new staff when they joined the service. Training records for all staff were up to date and the registered manager had a good overview of the team’s training needs. Staff were supported by management though a regular system of supervisions to monitor their performance.

Where needed, people were supported to maintain a balanced diet.

Staff worked within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act when providing support to people. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People spoke positively about the caring nature of staff and the support they received. People were treated with dignity and their choices were respected by staff.

Care records were detailed and contained relevant information to enable staff to provide personalised care and support. People were aware of their care plans and signed documentation evidenced that consent was sought.

A comprehensive complaint procedure was in place which had been followed.

People, staff and relatives spoke positively about the management team.

Satisfaction surveys had been distributed to gain the views of people who used the service. Action had been taken where required.

Quality assurance processes were in place and conducted on a regular basis to enable the service to continuously improve.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.