Charleston House 

Updated 22 November 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by two inspectors.

Service and service type

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 service.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 21 October 2019 and ended on 28 October 2019. We visited the office location on 21 October 2019.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection-

We spoke with three people using the service and a healthcare professional. We also spoke with seven staff members, this include care workers, the co-ordinator, the registered manager and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records, this included four people’s care records and medication records. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures and complaints were also reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at records relating to tenancy agreements, risk management plans and medicines management.

Updated 22 November 2019

About the service

Charleston House is an extra care housing service, providing personal care to 23 people aged both under and over 65 at the time of the inspection. People using the service lived in flats in one purpose built building. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. 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

Records were not always in up-to-date and reflective of people’s current needs, this was addressed with the registered manager during the inspection. The registered manager was a visible presence in the service and people and staff spoke highly of the management team. Regular audits were carried out to drive improvements. People’s views were sought and action taken to address any issues identified. The registered manager sought and encouraged partnership working.

People were protected against the risk of abuse and avoidable harm as the provider carried out risk management plans and staff received safeguarding training. People’s medicines were administered in line with good practice. People received care and support from adequate numbers of suitably vetted staff to keep them safe. The registered manager sought to learn lessons when things went wrong, to minimise repeat incidents.

People received care and support from staff that were knowledgeable in their role. Staff underwent a comprehensive induction programme when first employed and reflected on their working practices through regular supervisions. People were supported to access sufficient food and drink that met their dietary needs and preferences. People were encouraged to monitor their health and well-being.

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.

People confirmed they were treated with dignity and respect. Staff were aware of the importance of encouraging people to remain as independent as possible, where safe to do so. Pre-admission assessments were carried out prior to moving into Charleston House, to ensure their needs could be met. People were encouraged to make decisions about their care and treated and their faith and cultural needs were respected and encouraged.

The registered manager took prompt action to address issues identified during the inspection. People were encouraged to participate in activities of their choosing both in-house and in the local community. Complaints were fully investigated, and positive outcome sought for those involved. The provider had a clear end of life policy in place and staff were scheduled to attend end of life training.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The service was first registered with another provider on 7 June 2018. However, there had not been an inspection before the registration was changed to this provider on 26 November 2018. This inspection is therefore the first one for this service. .

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection was planned in line with our inspection programme.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.