Archived: Willow Tree Support

Willow Tree Support provides a supported living and domiciliary care service. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. At the time of the inspection the service provided personal care in a supported living service to two people.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People told us they felt safe with the staff. People were protected from the risk of harm, abuse and discrimination. Risks to individuals and staff were well managed. There was a positive approach to risk taking, with an emphasis on safely promoting people’s well-being, choice and independence. Staff had been recruited safely and there were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. Medicines were stored, managed and administered safely. Risks associated with Covid-19 had been well managed. An open, culture of learning was present. Following any accident or incidents information was reviewed to see if any lessons could be learned or improvements could be made.

People’s needs were assessed prior to them starting to use the service to ensure their needs could be met. A person-centred transition plan was developed to help people settle in well. Staff received the training, supervision and support they needed. People attended regular routine health screening. Staff worked closely with other health care professionals to ensure people’s health needs were met.

People told us the staff were caring. One person said, “The staff are nice people. They are fair and good. I couldn’t ask for anything better. They are a good team.” Staff interacted in a calm, supportive and friendly manner with people. Staff and the managers spoke with compassion and empathy about people who used the service. People were involved in decisions about their care and support. There was a clear commitment and focus on supporting people to develop their independence and choices.

People received personalised care that took account of their needs, wishes and preferences. Care records were detailed and person centred. People were supported to avoid social isolation and encouraged to take part in activities at their home and in the wider community.

The service was well managed. Monitoring, audits and spot checks were thorough and records demonstrated any issues identified were addressed. The providers had a clear passion and commitment to providing a person-centred responsive service. Staff we spoke with shared that commitment and spoke very positively about the work they did and how the service was managed. People who used the service spoke very positively about the service, managers and staff.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 12 November 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection to provide a rating for the service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.