We considered all the evidence we had gathered under the outcomes we inspected. We used the information to answer the five questions we always ask;Is the service safe?
Is the service effective?
Is the service caring?
Is the service responsive?
Is the service well led?
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, discussions with people using the service, their relatives, the staff supporting them and looking at records.
If you wish to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
We met four of the six people who lived at Welwyn. We also spoke with three representatives of people who received a service. We found that people were very satisfied with the service they received at the home. They told us that they felt, 'Safe'. People said that they were happy with their support and with the staff team.
We observed the morning routine. We saw that overall people were supported in a relaxed and unhurried way. We found that staff were knowledgeable about the individual needs of the people they supported. Representatives of people who received a service told us that they considered staff to be well trained and skilled to meet the individual needs of the people they supported.
Staff told us that they were well trained and supported. They said that they had the skills to meet people's individual needs safely.
We saw that risks were being continually assessed and records showed how risks were reduced and, where possible, eliminated.
Is the service effective?
We saw individual plans that reflected how people led full and active lives with the appropriate staff support. Everyone we spoke with told us that people had daily opportunities to further their education and / or access chosen leisure activities. Records seen reflected this. We saw that activities were arranged in consultation with the people who received a service and by knowing individual's likes and interests. Information was seen recorded in care plans. People told us about activities and outings that they had recently enjoyed.
People's health and care needs were assessed and actions were taken to ensure that those needs were met. The registered manager told us that the staff worked with outside health and social care professionals as required. We saw how this joined up working was documented in care plans for consistency.
Is the service caring?
We saw that staff on duty were kind and patient. We also saw that when staff needed additional support to manage a situation they were given it discreetly. The staff that we spoke with told us that they felt well supported.
We looked at care plans and saw that people's preferences, interests, aspirations and needs had been recorded. Records were written in a sensitive and positive way. Pictures supported text to make information easy to understand.
Is the service responsive?
We saw how staff listened to people and acted in accordance with their wishes. We saw how staff asked people what they wanted to do. They also made suggestions to ensure that necessary daily tasks were also considered. For example one staff member asked if people would like to combine a trip out with some shopping for a birthday present.
We saw that meetings took place regularly to gather the views of the people who received a service. We saw the minutes of these meetings. The latest meeting discussed meals and there was evidence that people's suggestions had been listened to.
Representatives of people who received a service told us that they attended reviews where their views and opinions were listened to and considered. They also told us that they regularly visited the home or spoke with staff on the phone. They told us that they could share any worries or concerns and confirmed that these would be addressed promptly. This meant that people's needs and wishes could be met in ways that they preferred.
Is the service well-led?
The registered manager of Welwyn was handing over their registered status to the current home manager. The home manager was in the process of being registered with the Care Quality Commission. The current registered manager told us that they would then take on a supervisory role within the organisation. Staff were clear about the changing roles within the management team.
We saw how the home manager had started to implement regular audits of the service provided. They told us that they had input from senior managers to do this. We saw records of checks. The home manager told us that these checks enabled them to monitor and assess the quality of the service provided. We saw how the home manager produced an action plan to demonstrate how issues were to be addressed. We saw that the home manager had signed to say that actions had been completed.
The service was well led and the registered manager and the home manager were approachable and understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Staff told us that they felt well supported. The service was able to respond to people's changing needs and they also worked with outside agencies to ensure people received the best care. People who received a service and their representatives spoke positively about the leadership and commitment of the management and the staff team.