About the service:

Matilda Place provides care and support to people living in two ‘extra care housing’ settings in the City of Winchester known as Matilda Place and Danemark Court so that they can live in their own self-contained flats as independently as possible.

Care and support was delivered to both older and younger people living with dementia, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and sensory impairment. The scheme is supported by The City of Winchester’s Sheltered and Extra Care Services.

People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support. At the time of our inspection 19 people living at Matilda Place and 26 people living at Danemark Court received personal care and support.

The service was supported by a registered manager, manager and 13 care staff.

People’s experience of using this service:

• People were protected from abuse, neglect and discrimination. Staff ensured people’s safety and acted when necessary to prevent any harm.

• Individual risks to people were assessed and managed to keep people safe.

• People requiring support with medicines received them as prescribed.

• The service was person centred and assessed people’s needs and individual preferences.

• People received care and support from staff who were trained sufficiently and had the right skills and knowledge which led to good outcomes for people.

• Staff had developed caring relationships with the people they supported. They respected people's dignity and privacy and promoted their independence.

• People's care and support met their needs and reflected their preferences.

• Health care professionals such as district nurses, the GP, and community mental health team had been involved in people’s care.

• People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

• People were supported to express their views and staff were knowledgeable about people’s preferred communication methods.

We observed many instances of genuine warmth between staff and people. On these occasions, staff took time to explain their actions in order to minimise people’s anxiety.

• Relatives and staff were very positive about the management of the service.

Rating at last inspection:

• This was our first inspection of Matilda Place which was registered with the Care Quality Commission on 5 June 2018.

Why we inspected:

• This was a planned inspection to check that this service was meeting the regulations and to give them a rating.

Follow up:

• We did not identify any concerns at this inspection. We will therefore re-inspect this service within our published timeframe for services rated good. We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.