The inspection was completed on 17 October 2018 and there were 14 people in receipt of a service at Longmans Extra Care Scheme when we inspected.

Longmans Extra Care Scheme provides 24-hour care and support for up to 14 people in one bedroom flats. The Extra Care Scheme is managed and maintained by South Essex Homes on behalf of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. The care and support is provided by Mears Care Limited.

Although there had been a change of registered provider since our last inspection in April 2017, this was in name only. The organisation’s ‘nominated individual’ and the registered manager remained the same. At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

Suitable arrangements were in place to keep people safe and policies and procedures were followed and understood by the management team and staff to safeguard people. Risks to people were identified and managed to help people lead the life they wanted. The domiciliary care service was appropriately staffed to meet the needs of people using the service. Medication practices were safe and ensured people received their prescribed medication as they should. Recruitment procedures were followed to ensure the right staff were employed. People were protected by the service’s arrangements for the prevention and control of infection. Arrangements were in place for learning and making necessary improvements when things go wrong.

Staff had a thorough induction to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively. Staff had the right competencies and skills to meet people’s needs. Suitable arrangements were in place for staff to receive formal supervision at regular intervals. People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible. People told us staff supported them as needed with meal preparation and the provision of drinks and snacks throughout the day. People received appropriate healthcare support as and when needed from a variety of services and professionals.

People told us they were treated with care, kindness, dignity and respect and were supported to maintain their independence where possible. People received a good level of care and support that met their needs. Staff had a good knowledge and understanding of people’s specific care and support needs and how they wished to be cared for and supported.

Support plans were in place to reflect how people would like to receive their care and covered all aspects of a person's individual circumstances. People confirmed there were infrequent social activities provided for them to join in, mainly because of low attendance and people wishing to do their own thing. Information about how to make a complaint was available and people told us they were confident to raise issues or concerns.

Suitable arrangements were in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service provided. There was a positive culture within the service that was person-centred, open and inclusive. The service sought people’s views about the quality of the service provided and these were positive.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.