The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Redwood House

Penhurst School, New Street, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5LN (01608) 642559

Provided and run by:
Action for Children

All Inspections

12 December 2012

During a routine inspection

People that used the service had complex needs and were unable to tell us about their experiences. However, we saw that people were relaxed and calm in the presence of the staff that were supporting them. We saw that staff had a positive relationship with and understood their needs and how to meet them. We observed staff interacting with people using alternative communication methods including Makaton (sign language) and objects of reference regularly repeating themselves until the person had made their choices known.

We spoke to six staff including the head of care during our visit. Staff told us that 'they felt included' in relation to the welfare of people and the running of the service. Staff also told us that they 'felt supported' and that they were 'always striving to make the service better for the people who use it.'

We sampled three care plans in total from the residential services, Redwood and Acorn. We were told that the third residential service was not occupied by young adults at the time of our visit. Two care plans were seen from Redwood and one was seen from Acorn. All individual support plans gave specific information about people's needs and the risk associated with them, enabling the staff to provide a consistent approach.

27 July 2012

During a routine inspection

We were unable to communicate directly with the people who used the service as they all had specialist communication needs. Our observation of them during the inspection indicated that they were happy and well cared for. Staff knew how to communicate with them and smiles and laughter were much in evidence. The day of the inspection coincided with their annual barbeque.

We spoke to a number of people on the day of the visit, including relatives, staff, governors and professional people who visited Penhurst on a regular basis. They were unified in their praise for the service it offered. Relatives told us that they didn't know how they would have coped without the support the staff had given both to themselves and the people who used the service.

Professionals coming in to provide services within Penhurst told us that the facilities were excellent and that they were able to work together to provide a comprehensive care service to people.