About the service Creative Support - Prince of Wales Drive Extra Care Service is an 'extra care' housing scheme that provides personal care and support to people living in their own flats in a single multi-occupancy building.
The single adapted building comprises of 73 self-contained flats which are managed. Optivo Housing Association own the building and, as the property's landlord, are responsible for its maintenance.
At the time of our inspection, 41 people aged 55 and over were receiving personal care and support at the scheme. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were happy with the care and support they received. Comments included, “I do really like it here. They really look after me”, “It’s really lovely here. I have people around to help me. I can’t believe how lucky I am”, “I have a buzzer round my neck, that makes me safe and they come really, really quickly” and “I am very safe here.”
People were cared for in a safe manner that minimised the risk of harm and abuse. Risk assessments identified concerns to people’s health and well-being. Staff followed guidance in place to mitigate the risks people might face. Staff underwent checks to ensure their fitness to work in the health and social care setting. People received the support they required to take their medicines.
The provider had systems in place which enabled staff to follow best practice guidelines regarding the prevention and control of infection including those associated with COVID-19.
People were cared for by staff who were supported in their roles through induction, training and supervisions. There was a consistent and sufficient team of staff that provided care to people. This ensured people received continuity of care from staff who knew them well and were familiar with their needs and wishes.
People told us staff were kind, caring and compassionate. Staff obtained people's consent before providing care to them. People got on well with staff and had developed meaningful relations with them. Staff respected people’s privacy and upheld their dignity and human rights when providing care. Staff supported people to maintain their independence and to make choices about their lives.
The provider used their quality assurance systems effectively to develop the service. Improvements were made when needed. The registered manager ensured staff learnt lessons when things went wrong. People who used the service, their relatives and staff said the registered manager was keen to continuously improve the service. The provider worked in close partnership with other agencies to plan and deliver care and support.
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 and systems in the service supported this practice.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at the last inspection
This extra care scheme was previously included in a larger location covering multiple services, Mears Homecare Limited (London Bridge), registered to a provider who is no longer registered with the Commission. The last rating for the location under the previous provider’s registration was requires improvement (published 28 January 2016).
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 30/07/2020 and this is the first inspection.