Woodborough

The accommodation was in a three-storey home with a self-contained flat in the garden for one person. People had single en-suite bedrooms and shared access to communal rooms and bathrooms.

The care service had 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.

At our last inspection in June 2016 we rated the service good. We inspected this service as concerns had been raised about the quality of the care provision. The provider had been working with the local authority to address these concerns. At this inspection we found the service remained Good, however improvements were needed to ensure all areas of risk were reviewed. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

There was no registered manager in post at the time of the inspection. 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. The service was being managed by a registered manager from a nearby home also managed by the same provider.

The majority of risks for individuals had been assessed to protect people from potential harm. However, the provider had not identified all risks to the living environment to ensure people’s safety. Staff understood how to protect people from harm and abuse. People’s medicines were managed safely, and they were protected from any harm associated with them. There were suitable numbers of staff working in the home and the provider followed safe recruitment practices.

People received effective support from staff who had received training to gain the skills and knowledge to meet their specific needs. People were supported by staff in the least restrictive way possible to have maximum choice and control of their lives. People could make decisions about their life and where any restriction was identified, applications were made to ensure this was lawful. Staff gained people’s consent before they assisted them, and were aware of how to support them to make decisions. Staff received training to ensure they could carry out their roles effectively. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and access healthcare services when needed.

People were supported by staff who had positive and caring relationships with them. People were listened to, and they were involved in making day to day decisions about their care. Their independence was promoted, and people were supported to have control in their lives. Staff understood how to ensure people’s privacy and dignity were respected.

People participated in different activities they enjoyed, were involved in the planning of their support, and received care that was individual to them. Their views were considered when improvements were made in the service and they knew how to raise concerns.

The registered manager worked with other providers of services and there were monitoring arrangements to improve on the quality of the service that was provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Heathcotes Woodborough provides accommodation for up to five people living with mental health needs. Five people were living at the service at the time of the inspection.

Heathcotes Woodborough is required to have 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. A registered manager was in place.

People who used the service were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff were aware of their role and responsibilities in protecting people and had received adult safeguarding training. Information was available for staff, people who used the service and visitors about the procedure to report any safeguarding concerns.

Risks associated to people’s individual needs had been assessed and planned for. Staff had the required information to know how to support people to reduce known risks. Risk plans were monitored and amended when required. Risks associated to the environment and premises had also been assessed and safety checks had been completed.

Safe staff recruitment checks were in place that ensured as far as possible, people were cared for by suitable staff. Staffing levels were sufficient and flexible in meeting people’s individual needs and safety. People who used the service received their medicines as prescribed and these were managed correctly.

Staff were appropriately supported to enable them to effectively carry out their duties and responsibilities. This included receiving a structured and detailed induction. Ongoing training was provided to keep staff’s skills and knowledge up to date, and regular face to face meetings to review their work and development needs.

The registered manager understood their role and responsibility in ensuring the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards legislation was fully adhered to. Some staff were more knowledgeable about this legislation than others. Staff involved people as fully as possible in discussions and decisions and gained consent before care and support was provided.

People who used the service were involved in the menu planning, food shopping and meal preparation. People received sufficient to eat and drink and staff encouraged and provided healthy menu choices. Staff supported people to maintain their health, this included accessing both routine and specialist healthcare services. The service involved external health and social care professionals appropriately in meeting people’s individual needs.

Staff were found to be kind, caring and compassionate and had a good understanding of people’s needs and what was important to them. Staff supported people to participate in activities, interests and hobbies of their choice. People who used the service were supported in achieving goals and aspirations that they had identified. People’s privacy, dignity and independence was respected and promoted.

People’s care records showed a person centred approach was used by staff. Information was based on people’s individual choices, routines and what was important to them. A complaints policy was in place and people who used the service knew how to make a complaint and staff were aware of how to respond to any complaints or concerns made. People had access to information that was presented in an appropriate format for their communication needs. This included information about advocacy services and health information.

People, their relatives or representatives received opportunities to share their views about the service. Where people had requested changes or improvements these had been responded to.

Staff felt valued and supported and were positive about the leadership of the service. The provider had checks in place that monitored the quality and safety of the service. These included daily, weekly and monthly audits. In addition the provider had further systems in place that provided robust monitoring of the service that enabled the service to continually improve.