London Care (Atlas Place)

The extra care housing was provided in one purposes build building where people rented or part owned their own flats from a separate housing provider and London Care (Atlas Place) provided support to people who needed it. On site was a restaurant, hairdresser and activities. These were arranged by the housing provider and therefore were not looked at during this inspection.

Staffing had been at reduced levels with some care and office staff having left. Whilst the provider was acting to address this some people and their relatives did express this had had an impact on some aspects of their care. The management of quality performance and the maintenance of records needed to be improved.

People's needs had been assessed. However, assessment had not always been used to develop people's care plans. Risk assessments were not always in place where they needed to be. The current staff knew people well and were able to support their needs. However, the new staff would not have the information they needed to support people. Staff told us they relied on each other or the person they supported to share information with them about some health risks.

Where incidents and accidents had occurred, these had been reported. However, incident records were incomplete. Actions taken had not been recorded. The system to monitor incidents and analyse trends was not being effectively used to minimise further risks or incidents.

Staff knew people well. Where people needed support to communicate staff were aware of this. However, how people expressed themselves was not well recorded which would mean that new staff may not have the information they needed to support people as well as they could do.

Most people told us staff were kind and caring. However, some people told us staff were rushed and that this impacted on how well treated they felt. Staff were recruited safely. People received their medicines as prescribed. Staff had completed medicines training and their competency was assessed. People were protected from the risk of infection and safeguarded from abuse.

People were happy with the support they received with eating and drinking. Where people needed support to access healthcare this was in place. 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 aware of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and understood that people had the right to make decisions for themselves where they had the capacity to do so.

The service worked in partnership with other services. This included where people needed support at the end of their life.