Archived: Broomfields Sheltered Housing

Updated 24 July 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 inspection took place over a two day period. Visits took place on the 22 and 25 March 2018. The visits on both days were announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because we needed to be sure that people using the service and staff would be available to speak with us.

This inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

During the visit to the offices we looked at a selection of records and documents relating to the service. We looked at records that included assessments of risk and care planning documents, medicines records, complaints management as well as policies and procedures. We looked at the recruitment records of one recently recruited staff member, and rotas. In addition, we spoke with 13 people who used the services either by visiting them in their home or within a communal area at the extra care service.

We spoke with and spent time with nine staff members, the registered manager, office based staff and a director of the service.

Prior to the inspection we assessed all of the information we held about the service. This information included information sent to us by the registered provider. We contacted the local authority commissioning team who told us they had no concerns about the service.

Updated 24 July 2018

This inspection took place inspection on 22 and 27 March 2018. The inspection was announced.

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 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. People using the service lived in either a flat or bungalow located on one site.

Not everyone using Broomfields extra care service receives a regulated activity; CQC 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. Six people were in receipt of personal care services at the time of this inspection.

In addition to Broomfields extra care, the service also operates a supported living service for 24 people living in rented accommodation in and around the Warrington area, People’s accommodation included houses and bungalows where up to three people lived together.

A registered manager was in post. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The last inspection of the service was carried out in February 2016 and at that time the service was rated as good overall. Following this inspection, the rating remains good.

People were supported to have choice in their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. We saw that policies and guidance were available to staff in relation to the Mental Capacity Act.

People told us that the staff were caring and supportive and felt listened to. Staff received regular support and training to keep up to date with best practice.

People were encouraged and supported to pursue their hobbies and interests with the staff team.

People felt safe using the service. Policies and procedures were in place in relation to safeguarding people from abuse. People’s care planning considered risks to people and plans were in place to minimise these risks.

Safe recruitment practices helped ensure that only people suitable to work with vulnerable people were employed by the service.

People had access to and were aware of the services complaints procedure. A system was in place to manage and monitor complaints and compliments about the service.

People told us that staff asked them if they were ok and happy with the service. In addition, regular reviews and meetings took place to help ensure that people received the care and support they required.

Information was made accessible to people by being produced in different formats which included the use of photographs, different sized print and pictures.

People were supported with their eating and drinking needs when needed. Specific guidance was available to staff in relation to people’s dietary needs.

People told us their privacy and dignity was protected and promoted.

Accidents and incidents were clearly recorded and reviewed by the registered manager to evidence any trends or patterns that may occur.

Systems and audits were in place to regularly check that people were receiving the care and support they required.

Following a period of transition. The service were in the process of developing and producing new policies and procedures to offer advice and guidance in relation to safe, effective care and support.

The service maintained links with other services within the area to promote change and good practice.