Oaktree Court Limited provides care to people living in 51 purpose-built flats on a shared site. The accommodation is bought 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 this type of service. This inspection looked at people’s personal care service.

Not everyone living at Oaktree Court Limited 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. At the time of inspection, only two people were receiving personal care. This was our first inspection of the service since it was registered with the CQC.

Systems in place to manage the safe administration of medicines required improvement. Medication administration records (MAR) were not being used by staff who were supporting people with applying topical medication. The staff had only recently started supporting people with medicine administration, and whilst MAR sheets and a medication policy were in place, they were not being used or followed accurately.

There was a registered manager 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.

Staff received safeguarding training so they knew how to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and how to report any concerns of abuse. Risk management plans were in place to protect and promote people’s safety. The staffing arrangements were suitable to keep people safe. The staff recruitment practices ensured staff were suitable to work with people. Staff followed infection control procedures to reduce the risks of spreading infection or illness.

The provider understood their responsibility to comply with the Accessible Information Standard (AIS), which came into force in August 2016. The AIS is a framework that makes it a legal requirement for all providers to ensure people with a disability or sensory loss can access and understand information they are given.

Staff received induction training when they first started work at the service. On-going refresher training ensured staff were able to provide care and support for people following current best practice guidance. Staff supervision systems ensured that staff received regular one to one supervision and appraisal of their performance.

Staff were able to support people to eat and drink sufficient amounts to maintain a varied and balanced diet, but this type of support was not currently required by the two people using the service. Records about people’s health requirements were documented. Staff were able to support people to access health appointments if required, but this type of support was not currently required by the two people using the service.

People were encouraged to be involved in decisions about their care and support. Staff demonstrated their understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, 2005 (MCA) and they gained people's consent before providing personal care. People had their privacy, dignity and confidentiality maintained at all times. The provider had a complaints procedure in place to deal with complaints.

People had their diverse needs assessed, they had positive relationships with staff and received care in line best practice meeting people’s personal preferences. Staff consistently provided people with respectful and compassionate care.

The service had a positive ethos and an open culture. The registered manager was a visible role model in the service. People told us that they had confidence in the manager’s ability to provide consistently high quality managerial oversight and lea

This inspection was carried out on 15 July 2015 and was announced.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Oaktree Court is a complex of privately owned sheltered housing flats and bungalows where, if necessary, people can be supported by 'in-house' care workers employed by the service. This domiciliary care service enables people to continue living independently in their own flat within the complex. At the time of our inspection one person was receiving support. Some people in the complex were receiving domiciliary support from other regulated agencies external to 'Oaktree Court', but these agencies are subject to their own separate inspection.

There was a registered manager 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 person felt safe. Staff had received training to enable them to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and how to report them.

The person had risk assessments in place to enable them to be as independent as they could be.

There were sufficient staff, with the correct skill mix, to support the person with their needs.

Effective recruitment processes were in place and followed by the service.

The person was self-sufficient in ordering and taking their own medication.

Staff received a comprehensive induction process and on-going training. They were very well supported by the registered manager and had regular one to one time for supervisions.

Staff had attended a variety of training to ensure they were able to provide care based on current practice when supporting people.

Staff always gained consent before supporting people.

People were supported to make decisions about all aspects of their life; this was underpinned by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff were very knowledgeable of this guidance and correct processes were in place to protect people.

The person was able to make choices about the food and drink they had, and staff gave support when required.

The person was supported to access a variety of health professionals when required.

Staff provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They knew the person who used the service well.

The person had been involved in the planning of their care and support.

The person’s privacy and dignity was kept at all times.

The person was supported to follow their interests.

A complaints procedure was in place and accessible to all. The person knew how to complain.

Effective quality monitoring systems were in place. A variety of audits were carried out and used to drive improvement.

When we inspected only one person was receiving domiciliary care support from staff working at 'Oaktree Court'. Some people in residence were receiving domiciliary support from other regulated agencies external to 'Oaktree Court', but these agencies are subject to their own separate inspection.

When we last inspected we were invited to meet with the only person who received domiciliary support from ‘Oaktree Court’ staff. This person was again happy to meet with us in the privacy of their flat. They were very complimentary about the staff who continued to support them. They said they received all the support they needed to retain their independence and commented, “I have no complaints at all about the service I receive. They all do a good job.”

When we inspected only one person was receiving domiciliary care support from staff working at Oaktree Court. Other people in residence were receiving domiciliary support from other regulated agencies external to Oaktree Court.

We were invited to meet with the person who received support. This person said they were "very happy" with the support they received from the care workers from Oaktree Court. They confirmed that the care workers were punctual, friendly, and treated them with respect. They also said that the care workers "knew their job" and did it well.