The inspection took place on 01 October 2015 and was unannounced. At our last inspection on 05 September 2014, the service was found to be meeting the required standards in the areas we looked at. Windmill Lodge provides accommodation and care for six people with learning disabilities.
There was a manager in post who had registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The CQC is required to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. DoLS are put in place to protect people where they do not have capacity to make decisions and where it is considered necessary to restrict their freedom in some way, usually to protect themselves or others. At the time of the inspection we found that where people lacked capacity to make their own decisions, consent had been obtained in line with the MCA 2005. The manager had submitted DoLS applications to the local authority for people who needed these safeguards.
Staff received regular training and knew how to meet people’s individual needs. Any important changes in people’s needs were passed on to all staff when they started their shifts, so that they all knew the up to date information. There were regular meetings held for staff to share information about people’s well-being and changing needs.
The staff were knowledgeable about the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff also understood the importance of giving people as much choice and freedom as possible. The manager had made appropriate applications for DoLS in order to keep people safe. Staff gained consent from people whenever they could and where people lacked capacity we saw that arrangements were in place for staff to act in their best interests.
People enjoyed appropriate food and drink and staff had access to accurate and up to date information to help them meet people’s needs.
Staff were kind and people appreciated the positive relationships they had with staff. This was also true for relatives. People who used the service were complimentary about the staff providing the service. Choices were given to people at all times. People’s privacy and dignity were respected and all confidential information about them was held securely.
Care plans were personalised and included information about people’s history and interests. People’s individual needs were assessed and were specific to people. Staff were knowledgeable about how to manage people’s individual needs and assisted people to take part in appropriate daily activities.
The service was well led by a manager who promoted a fair and open culture. They encouraged staff to take responsibility and supported their professional development. The manager also had a support structure in place. There were regular supervisions to support staff.