Eldon Housing Association Limited

Eldon Housing Association Limited is an 'extra care housing' service. Extra care housing services provide personal care to people living in their own flats within housing schemes. Eldon Housing Association Limited provided personal care to people in two buildings in Croydon: Lindsay Court and Westdene. The service provides support to older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 44 people using the service.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided.

Risks to people were not adequately assessed and plans to mitigate and manage risks were not sufficiently detailed, instructive and personalised. Medicines management was not always safe. This put people at risk of potential harm. However, we found no evidence anyone had been harmed and people and their relatives said they felt the service was safe. There were systems and process in place to protect people from abuse and improper treatment. There were enough staff to meet people's needs and new staff were recruited safely. Infection prevention and control in both schemes was good. Staff learned lessons when something went wrong.

People's needs and choices were assessed and their needs and preferences were met. However, their assessments and care plans did not contain sufficiently detailed and person-centred information. Despite this, staff knew people's needs and preferences well and provided them with the right care and support. New staff received induction training and all staff completed regular training and were well supported to do their jobs. Staff supported people to eat and drink enough and maintain a balanced diet and worked with other agencies to provide people with consistent, effective and timely care. Staff supported people to be active and to live healthier lives and access healthcare services and support. 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.