Archived: Woodland Grove

Updated 9 June 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 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.

We visited the service on 22 April 2016, this was an unannounced inspection. The inspection team consisted of one inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Prior to our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. This included information received about the service and statutory notifications. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. Before the inspection, we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also contacted the commissioners (who fund the care for some people) of the service.

During our inspection we spoke with four people who were using the service, three relatives, four members of care staff, two healthcare professionals and the registered manager. We also observed the way staff cared for and interacted with service users in the communal areas of the building. We looked at the care plans of two people and any associated records such as incident records. We looked at three staff files and a range of records relating to the running of the service, such as audits, maintenance records and three medicines administration records.

Updated 9 June 2016

This inspection took place on 22 April 2016 and was unannounced. Woodland Grove provides accommodation and personal care for up to ten people with autism and learning disabilities. On the day of our inspection seven people were using the service.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

Staff worked to protect people from the risk of abuse and appropriate action was taken following any incidents to try and reduce the risks of incidents happening again. Risks to people’s health and safety were assessed and plans put into place to reduce risks.

People were supported by a sufficient number of staff and staffing levels were flexible to meet people’s needs. Effective recruitment procedures ensured staff were safe to work with vulnerable adults. People received their medicines as prescribed and they were safely stored.

Staff were provided with a wide range of knowledge and skills to care for people effectively and felt supported in their role. People had access to sufficient quantities of food and drink and were able to choose the food they wanted. People received support from healthcare professionals when needed.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We found this legislation was being used correctly to protect people who were not able to make their own decisions about the care they received. Restraint was only used when necessary and records about restraint were detailed.

Positive and caring relationships had been developed between people and staff and we observed many positive interactions. Staff ensured people’s views were taken into account when making decisions about their care and people were supported to make day to day choices. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and ensured their privacy was respected.

People were provided with care that was responsive to their changing needs and personal preferences. Staff also helped people to be as independent as possible. There was a programme of activities available which was tailored to individual preferences. There was a clear complaints procedure in place and any complaints received had been appropriately responded to.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and these resulted in improvements being made. The registered manager led by example and staff felt able to speak with them about any concerns. There was an open and honest culture in the home.