Archived: Woodlands

Updated 21 January 2016

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 was 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 took place on the 28 November 2015 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Prior to our inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included notifications, which is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

At the time of the inspection there were three people being supported by the service. We spoke with one person who was using the service and communicated with the other two people who were non-verbal. We spoke with two professionals who visit the service as part of their roles. We also conducted a short observation framework for inspection. (SOFI). A SOFI is a method of observing the experiences of people who cannot communicate with us verbally. We spoke with the manager and two staff. We reviewed two people's care files, records relating to training, and the general management of the home.

Updated 21 January 2016

We inspected Woodlands on the 28 November 2015. Woodlands is registered to provide accommodation for three people with learning disabilities who require personal care and support.

There was not a registered manager in post at the service but a new area manager was in the process of becoming the registered manager. A service manager was in day to day control of the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse by staff that understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs. People’s needs were assessed and risks associated with their needs were mitigated through clear guidance and staff that understood and followed that guidance. People’s medicines were stored safely and people received their medicines when required.

Staff felt supported and had access to regular supervision and appraisal. There was adequate training for staff and opportunities to develop professionally.

People did not always benefit from a service that understood and applied the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. MCA is the legal framework that protects people’s right to make their own decisions. We have recommended the service familiarise themselves with the MCA code of practice.

People had access to appropriate health professionals which was clearly planned within people’s health action plans (HAP’s) and people also received a varied and healthy diet.

Staff were described as caring by people and their relatives. People were supported to maintain friendships with the people they lived with and other people who were important to them. People’s independence was supported and their privacy and dignity were respected. People had access to advocacy as and when required.

People benefited from a service that had a person centred culture where there was plenty of opportunities to access activities and experience new things. When people’s needs changed the service responded. People’s views were seen as important and feedback was used to improve the service.

The manager was described as very good and there were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety within the home. Staff felt the culture was open and that managers would listen to their views.