This inspection took place at Astley Court Extra Care Scheme on the 6 September 2017. The service was newly registered in March 2017 and this was the first time it had been inspected.

Astley Court Extra Care Scheme is the registered provider, however, attached to this registration is one more extra care scheme, Amblecourt Gardens. Extra care schemes operate in purpose-built properties, which provide accessible and safe housing for older people who are unable to live completely independently. Each person lives in their own flat but has access to a communal room and dining area where their meals are prepared for them if they wish.

At time of the inspection there was a registered manager at the service who had been in post since March 2017. 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.

People told us they considered themselves safe whilst living at Astley Court and Amblecourt Gardens. They also indicated that the care they received was delivered in a professional and caring way and that staff had the correct skills to undertake their role effectively.

People were provided with personalised care which was assessed by both the service and the local authority to meet their individual needs and requirements. People’s care files contained a series of support plans which covered areas such as, skin integrity, social isolation, falls, personal care and meals.

The service also ensured appropriate staffing levels to support the safe and effective operation of the service. Comments from people supported there were enough staff to safely meet their needs and people told us they never felt rushed with their routine. The provider offered a variety of training to its staff which ensured the staff team were skilled and experienced to safely and effectively support each person using the service.

Staff interacted in a positive way with people. Their demeanour was that of a caring, respectful and understanding nature. The promotion of people’s dignity and rights were supported which ensured people maintained control over their lives. People were given information about their care and the service to help them make informed decisions. Their opinions were routinely sought and acted upon by means of questionnaires enabling them to influence the service they received. Comments were received from people during the inspection which supported these observations.

Staff had the correct knowledge about how to keep people safe and promote positive risk taking. Training was offered to staff to ensure they were able to confidently identify the signs of abuse and positively respond to any safeguarding concerns by notifying relevant individuals and authorities when required. People’s files contained a series of risk assessments which identified both environmental risks and risks associated with pressure care, falls and nutrition.

Recruitment systems were in place and appropriate steps were taken to verify new employee’s character and fitness to work. Following successful appointment to the role the provider ensured a detailed induction plan was offered. This ensured staff were equipped with the correct skills and knowledge to effectively support people in an informed, confident and self-assured manner.

People we spoke with and staff told us the manager was approachable and we noted there was a senior person in each of the schemes. An ‘on call system’ was operated to deal with any emergencies out of office hours. People told us any concerns they had were dealt with appropriately.

Systems were in place to seek and act on feedback from people living at the home such as satisfaction surveys, staff/residents meetings and a complaints procedure. The home also maintained