The inspection took place on 08 February 2018 and was unannounced.

This was the first inspection of the service since their registration with CQC.

This service provides care and support to people living in specialist ‘extra care’ housing. Extra care housing is purpose-built or adapted single household accommodation in a shared site or building. The accommodation is rented, 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.

People who used this service lived in their own apartments with access to a communal lounge and kitchen. The registered manager and care staff had access to an office on site which they shared with the housing provider.

Not everyone living at Derby Court received the regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; for example, 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 our inspection there were 12 people receiving the personal care service.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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.

Risks people faced were identified and people’s safely was monitored and managed through the use of risk management plans. The plans described the measures in place to reduce the likelihood of harm occurring and they were kept under review.

People knew what was meant by abuse and they were confident about telling someone if they were mistreated. Staff had completed safeguarding training and they had access to up to date information and guidance about recognising and reporting abuse or potential abuse. They knew the different types of abuse and were confident about recognising and reporting any concerns they had.

The right amount of suitably skilled and qualified staff were available to safely meet people’s needs. The process for recruiting new staff was safe and thorough. A series of pre-employment checks were carried out as a way of assessing the applicant’s suitability for the job prior to an offer of employment being made.

Staff responsible for handling medication were suitably trained and competent. They had access to detailed information about people’s medication including what it was for and how to safely support people to take it. Medication and medication administration records (MARs) were regularly checked to ensure people had safely received their medication at the right times.

Staff were provided with appropriate training and support to make sure they had the right skills, knowledge and experience for their job. Staff described the registered manager as supportive and approachable. They said they had received a good level of training and support which they felt was relevant to their roles and responsibilities.

Staff had a good understanding of their responsibilities to ensure that people's rights and best interests were promoted in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People's consent was obtained prior to the delivery of any care and support and their right to make decisions was respected.

Staff understood people’s dietary needs and people received the support they needed to maintain a healthy and balanced diet.

People were treated with kindness and compassion and their privacy, dignity and independence was promoted. People were supported to express their views and make decisions about the way they their care and support was provided. Positive relationships had been formed between people who used the service and staff.