Weighbridge Court provides care and support to people living in specialist 'extra care' housing. Extra care housing is purpose-built accommodation in a shared site or building. 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 extra care housing; this inspection looked at people's personal care [and support] service.

At the time of our inspection, seven people were being offered personal care. People lived in their own apartments and were referred to as 'Home owners' by the provider. The complex has a communal lounge, a restaurant and gardens, which are for use by all homeowners.

This inspection was carried out on 28 September 2018 and was announced. At their last inspection on 25 February 2016, we found one area that required improvement. The service was not always well led as staff did not always feel valued and supported by the organisation. At this inspection we found they now met all the standards.

The service had a registered manager in place. 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.

Everyone including staff spoke highly of the registered manager, the management team and the organisation and said they were approachable and supportive. The provider had effective systems in place to monitor the quality of care provided and where issues were identified they acted to make improvements.

Staff we spoke with told us they were aware of the potential types of abuse people were at risk of and the action to take to report and protect people from the risk of further abuse. Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff to ensure all care visits were made, with staff staying the required length of time and completing required tasks. Where people needed help with their medicines care staff recorded when these were needed and administered.

Staff received appropriate training and they told us the training was good and relevant to their role. Staff were supported by the registered manager and received formal supervision where they could discuss their ongoing development needs. People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

People who used the service and family members were complimentary about the standard of care they received from the service. Activities were available for people who used the service based on their likes and interests and to help meet their social needs. Staff treated people with dignity and respect.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The inspection took place on 25 February 2016.

Weighbridge Court provides personal care for older people living in a purpose built complex where there are individual privately owned, self –contained apartments. There was a restaurant on site that provided meals if people chose not to prepare their own meals.

There were nine people receiving personal care when we inspected.

The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (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 associate Regulations about how the service is run.

People were safe and staff knew what actions to take to protect them from abuse. The provider had processes in place to identify and manage risk.

The provider had systems in place to support people to take their prescribed medicines safely.

People's consent was appropriately obtained by staff when caring for them. Care plans were in place which detailed the care people wished to receive.

People had the choice to have their meal purchased from within the housing scheme.

People told us they looked after their own healthcare appointments as required to meet their needs. Care staff would then follow any advice as required.

Assessments had been carried out and personalised care plans were in place which reflected individual needs and preferences.

The provider had an effective complaints procedure and people had confidence that concerns would be investigated and addressed.

The service benefitted from a clear management structure and visible leadership. A range of systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service being delivered and drive improvement.