Background to this inspection
Updated
28 December 2018
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection site visit took place on 3 December 2018 and was announced. The inspection team consisted of one inspector. We gave three working days’ notice of this inspection to ensure that the registered manager would be available, and that people would be home.
Prior to the inspection we reviewed the information we had about the service. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We reviewed notifications sent to us about significant events at the service. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law.
During the visit we spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, three people and two members of staff. There were people that were unable to verbally communicate with us; instead we observed care from the staff at the service. We looked at a sample of two care records of people, medicine training and audits, training, supervision and two recruitment records for staff. We reviewed records that related to the management of the service that included audits. We also received positive feedback from a social worker via email prior to the inspection.
Updated
28 December 2018
Care service description
Seeability-Woodlands is a residential care home that provides care, support and accommodation for a maximum of seven adults with varying levels of sight loss and some associated learning and/or physical disabilities. The service is managed by SeeAbility which is the operating name of the charity The Royal School for the Blind. At the time of the inspection five people were living at the service.
The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
Rating at last inspection
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. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
Why the service is rated good
People were safe, and staff were aware of how to protect people from abuse. There were sufficient levels of staff on duty to ensure that people’s needs were met. Recruitment was robust to ensure that only appropriate staff were employed. Staff had the training they needed to develop their skills and knowledge.
Risks to people’s care was managed well by staff and people received their medicines in a safe way. Regular health and safety checks of the premises and equipment were carried out. The provider had up-to date procedures to help ensure people remained safe in an emergency.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Routines were set by people living in the home and they could choose how they spent their days. People were supported with their health needs. People had choices of what they wanted to eat and drink.
Where appropriate people had been consulted about their wishes towards the end of their lives and this was recorded.
The home was adapted to meet the needs of people especially regarding their sight loss. The home was clean, and staff used equipment to prevent the spread of infections.
People's needs had been assessed both before and after admission to the service. Care plans reflected people's needs and preferences. Care plans were evaluated regularly so they contained information about people's current needs. People could take part in a wide range of activities which they choose. Staff worked well together and communicated changes to people’s needs to each other.
People told us that they would speak to staff if they had any concerns. There was a complaints procedure should anyone wish to complain. There had been no complaints received since we last inspected.
The provider carried out quality assurance checks to ensure people received a good standard of care. Staff consulted with outside professionals to ensure the best delivery of care. Notifications were sent to the CQC where appropriate.
Further information is in the detailed findings below