27 February 2018
During a routine inspection
Warfedale View provides support with personal care to people living in specialist ‘extra care’ housing. At the time of our inspection, 30 people were using the service.
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. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not regulate premises used for extra care housing; this inspection looked at people’s personal care service.
Not everyone using Warfedale View receives 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.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
We found some improvements were needed to fully ensure the safe management of medicines. The registered manager took prompt action to ensure the concerns were addressed during the inspection. We made a recommendation that the provider keep medicines under review to ensure the improvements made are sustained.
People told us they felt safe. Care workers understood how to keep people safe and told us any potential risks were identified and managed. Risk management plans were in place to ensure people’s safe care. Care workers knew how to protect people from risks associated with harm and abuse. Safeguarding procedures and policies were in place. Care workers and the registered manager were aware of their responsibilities to identify and report any allegations of abuse to the local authority.
Overall, there were sufficient staff to provide the service people needed. Some people were not satisfied with their call times. The registered manager agreed to review this with people. Safe recruitment practices were followed. Care workers felt well supported and received appropriate training.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People’s care records clearly identified where people had capacity to make decisions about their care and support. Care workers understood people needed to consent to their care and were confident they supported people to make their own decisions. People received assistance with meals and healthcare when required. This supported people to maintain their health and well-being.
People we spoke with told us they were happy with the care they received and were complimentary about the care workers who supported them. People said staff knew them well and treated them with kindness and compassion. Care workers were familiar with people’s routines and individual needs. Staff understood the importance of treating people with dignity and respect and promoting their independence.
People told us they had no complaints and when they had raised any issues, they were dealt with quickly and appropriately. People’s diverse needs were respected and they were supported to avoid social isolation. People felt involved with the service and planning of their care and support. Care records were updated as people’s needs changed to ensure care workers were fully aware of their needs.
The registered manager and the provider monitored and reviewed the quality of care through audits, spot checks, and reviews of the service. This demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement of the service. People, their relatives and care workers all spoke highly about the way the service was managed.