New Witheven

Updated 8 March 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 took place on 17 February 2018 and was announced. We gave two days’ notice of the inspection site visit because the service is small and we needed to be sure that someone would be in. The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed previous inspection reports and other information we held about the home including any notifications. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. We had not 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 looked around the premises and observed staff interactions with people. We spoke with four people living at the service, the registered manager, the provider and three members of staff. We looked at detailed care records for three individuals, staff training records, two staff files and other records relating to the running of the service.

Updated 8 March 2018

New Witheven provides care and accommodation and respite services for up to ten people with a learning disability. At the time of the inspection eight people were living permanently at the service. Two people were receiving a respite service. The service is located in a rural setting in North Cornwall surrounded by farm land. The service also runs a day centre. Within the large gardens are various outbuildings which are used to accommodate craft sessions and workshops. There is also a vegetable garden with raised beds and poly tunnels. This announced comprehensive inspection took place on 17 February 2018.

At our last inspection in January 2016 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 on-going 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.

People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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.

We spent some time talking with people and staff. Staff were respectful and caring in their approach. They knew people well and had an understanding of their needs and preferences. Staff supported people to take part in a range of meaningful activities.

The management team had a clear set of values and these were known and shared by the wider staff team. The registered manager and provider both took an active role within the home. Staff told us they were approachable and available for advice and support. There were clear lines of accountability and responsibility within the staff team.

Care plans identified how people preferred to be supported and how much support they required. Risks to people’s safety and well-being were identified and staff had access to guidance on how to minimise risks. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

Staff were supported through a system of induction, training, supervision and staff meetings. This meant they developed the necessary skills to carry out their roles. There were opportunities for staff to raise any concerns or ideas about how the service could be developed.

There were effective quality assurance systems in place to monitor the standards of the care provided. Audits were carried out regularly.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.