Background to this inspection
Updated
21 May 2021
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 one inspector.
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 bought or 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.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was announced. We gave a short period notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, team leader, two care workers and a representative of the provider.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and four in relation to staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We spoke with four professionals who regularly visit the service, four relatives and two care workers and received feedback from them.
Updated
21 May 2021
About the service
London Care (Lapwing Court) is an extra care housing service providing personal care to 24 people at the time of the inspection.
The service supported people who lived in a bespoke housing complex consisting of 28 flats. The accommodation is rented or owned and is the occupant's own home. There was a housing manager who ran the scheme. 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
People spoke positively about the service. One person told us, “I like it here, it has been brilliant.” Another said, "They are that friendly it is unbelievable."
People told us they felt safe with staff who supported them. Care staff were well informed about risks to people's health or wellbeing and knew how to deliver their care safely. Staff supported people to take their medicines or reminded them when they were due. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff had received additional training in infection prevention and control. The provider had clear systems to reduce the risk and spread of infection.
People spoke positively about the staff who supported them and had confidence in their skills and
experience. Staff had regular supervisions and an annual appraisal. People were supported to prepare meals and drinks where necessary. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the restaurant in the scheme was closed and staff delivered lunches to people in their homes. People had access to a range of healthcare professionals 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.
People were looked after by kind and caring staff who knew them well. People were actively involved and in control of how their care was provided. People's diverse needs were catered for and they were treated with dignity and respect.
Care was personalised to meet people's needs. Care plans provided detailed information and guidance for staff on people's care and support needs, likes and dislikes, and the way they wanted to receive personal care. People had confidence any concerns addressed to staff or the management team would be quickly resolved.
The management team had clear systems in place to monitor the care people received and to drive improvement. People were encouraged in their involvement and development of the service and their feedback was encouraged. Professionals and relatives appreciated the open and regular communication with the team.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 09 August 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was the first inspection for this service.
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.