Banbury 'extra care' housing scheme gets a 'good' rating from health bosses

It is the second inspection in a row in which the scheme has received a 'good' rating. The last occasion was in 2017.

The CQC report, released this week, said: "The scheme comprises ten one-bedroom flats and sixty two-bedroom flats. People had a range of needs including older people and people with a physical disability.

"They received support with their personal care, support with medicines, food shopping and cleaning. People could also be visited by care workers from other external providers. At the time of the inspection (in late January) 25 people were receiving support with personal care. Not everyone who used the service received personal care."

The CQC only inspects where people receive personal care which includes assistance with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do the inspectors also consider any wider social care provided.

The report said: "We found people were happy with the support they received. They could contribute to the type of support they received and were a part of the development of their support plans. Information in people's support plans was informative and person centred, giving staff details on how the person wanted to be supported. People using the service were supported to access activities in the service and go into the community to reduce the

risk of social isolation.

"People felt safe living at the service and were supported by staff who knew how to protect them from harm and abuse. The provider had a complaints process in place and people told us they knew what to do if they wished to raise any concerns. Risks to people's safety and well-being were managed through a risk management process.

"There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people's needs," the report said. "Medicines were managed safely, and people received their medicines as prescribed. People were supported to eat a healthy diet and to access health care professionals when required."

The inspectors found people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff were found to be positive about working in the service and confirmed they received ongoing support and training.

They found the service had a clear management and staffing structure in place. Staff worked well as a team and understood people's needs. The provider had quality assurance systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. The provider, Housing 21, had processes in place for the recording and investigation of incidents and accidents.