We undertook an announced inspection of OSJCT Shotover View on 2 February 2017.

OSJCT Shotover View provides extra care housing for up to 55 older people. The office of the domiciliary care agency OSJCT Shotover View is based within the building. The agency provides 24 hour person centred care and support to people living within OSJCT Shotover View, who have been assessed as requiring extra care or support in their lives. On the day of our inspection 32 people were receiving a personal care service.

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.

We were greeted warmly by staff at the service who seemed genuinely pleased to see us. Throughout the day we saw visitors to the service being greeted by staff in the same welcoming fashion. The atmosphere was open and friendly.

People told us they benefitted from caring relationships with the staff. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and people received their care when they expected. Staffing levels and visit schedules were consistently maintained. The service had safe, robust recruitment processes.

People told us safe. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. Staff had received regular training to make sure they stayed up to date with recognising and reporting safety concerns. The service had systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities where concerns were identified.

Where risks to people had been identified risk assessments were in place and action had been taken to manage the risks. Staff were aware of people’s needs and followed guidance to keep them safe. People received their medicine as prescribed.

Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and applied its principles in their work. The MCA protects the rights of people who may not be able to make particular decisions themselves. The registered manager was knowledgeable about the MCA and how to ensure the rights of people who lacked capacity were protected.

People told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken if they raised a concern. We saw complaints were dealt with in a compassionate and timely fashion. The service had systems to assess the quality of the service provided. Learning was identified and action taken to make improvements which improved people’s safety and quality of life. Systems were in place that ensured people were protected against the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care.

Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the registered manager. Staff supervision and meetings were scheduled as were annual appraisals. Staff told us the registered manager was approachable and there was a good level of communication within the service.

People told us the service was friendly, responsive and well managed. People knew the managers and staff and spoke positively about them. The service sought people’s views and opinions and acted upon them.

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by CQC which looks at the overall quality of the service.

This was an announced inspection. The service was last inspected in July 2013. No concerns were identified at this inspection and no improvements were suggested.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

Shotover View is a new, purpose built property in the Horspath area of Oxford. The service provides extra care housing (housing which is modified to suit people with long-term conditions or disabilities that make living in their own home difficult) for people living in 55 flats. The office of the domiciliary care agency is based within the building. The service provides domiciliary care for people living at Shotover View, as part of our inspection we only inspected the care people received.

On the day of our visit 37 people living at Shotover View received care and support from the provider.

People were safe from abuse and bullying. Staff had knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of their responsibilities to report any concerns. The registered manager knew of their responsibilities regarding the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People received their medicines as expected. Staff had clear instructions to follow when administering medicines. Staff who administered medicines had received support and training to ensure people received their prescribed medicines.

The risks in relation to people’s care were managed effectively. There were always enough staff to meet the needs of people. Staff had good knowledge around infection control and people were protected from the spread of infection.

Staff were trained to support people effectively. People spoke positively about the skills of staff. People’s needs were assessed prior to care being given. Information about people’s care was clearly recorded in their care plans. People had access to healthcare professionals and staff followed guidance provided to them by other professionals.

Staff developed positive relationships with people. Care workers respected people’s privacy and dignity and involved people in their care.

People made choices about their care, and these choices were respected. Where people’s needs changed, staff were responsive to these changes. People knew how to complain and were supported at resident meetings to make their views known.

People told us the service was well led. The registered manager conducted a range of audits to ensure people received a good quality service. The registered manager maintained clear communication between themselves, people and staff.

The service worked in partnership with community professionals, the local authorities and the local safeguarding team.

People had choices about how their care was provided. One person told us "I was assessed before I was able to move here and I was able to explain the care and support that I wanted and how I wanted this to be provided.

People's care needs were met and their independence was promoted. One care worker told us we fully involve people with planning their own care and focus on what people can do rather than what they can't do". Another person told us "this is like a five star hotel. The staff come in each morning and evening, they serve my meals and take me out shopping". Another person told us "the staff are very good, they will do my shopping for me. I give them the money and they always give me a receipt with my change".

Staff received training in safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse. We saw documentation of safeguarding concerns made by the service which included action taken. Care workers were clear of the actions to take if they had concerns regarding possible abuse.

People said there were always enough staff on duty to meet their care and support needs. A relative told us "overall there are always sufficient staff on duty. I think more staff are employed for busy time, such as mornings.

We looked at a sample of audits completed monthly such as falls, care plans, records, complaints, health and safety and premises. These demonstrated that the quality of service provided had been regularly monitored and concerns addressed appropriately.