Winslow Court

Updated 15 August 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 25 July 2018, and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector, and an expert by experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Prior to our inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this information into account during our inspection of the service.

As part of the inspection, we reviewed information we held about the service in the form of statutory notifications received from the service and any safeguarding or whistleblowing incidents, which may have occurred. A statutory notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to send us by law. We also asked commissioning teams from local authorities and Healthwatch for any information they had, which would aid our inspection.

During the inspection visit, we spoke with four people who used the service, three relatives, a social worker, and an independent advocate. It was not possible to talk to more people because they were not able to speak with us. We spent time in the communal areas of the home and observed interaction between staff and people who used the service.

In addition, we spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, the provider’s campus principle, three team leaders, four members of support staff, the health and well-being manager and the quality assurance coordinator. We looked at a number of records, including four people's care files, medicines records, complaints records, accident and incidents records, staff training records, two staff recruitment files and records associated with the provider's quality assurance.

Updated 15 August 2018

The inspection took place on 25 July 2018 and was unannounced.

Winslow Court provides accommodation and personal care for up to 26 people with learning disabilities or autism. Accommodation and care is provided across three units set around two courtyards. At the time of our inspection visit, 13 people were living at the home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service is required to have a registered manager and there was a registered manager in post. 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.

At the last inspection on 1 September 2015, the service was rated 'Good.' At this inspection, we found the service remained 'Good.' This inspection report is written in a shorter format, because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People told us they continued to feel safe with staff and the support they provided at Winslow Court. Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from abuse, discrimination and avoidable harm. Risks to people continued to be managed in a way that protected them and kept them safe from avoidable harm. The provider had systems in place to ensure they reflected on any shortcomings and that improvements were made.

There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, competent and experienced staff deployed to meet people's needs, who supported people in a way that was respectful and compassionate. People’s dietary requirements were assessed and people were provided with sufficient food and drink.

Staff and the registered manager understood their responsibilities with regards to the protection of people’s rights and what to do when someone did not have the capacity to make their own decisions. People told us they were listened to by staff and felt able to voice their opinions.

People’s relatives and community professionals were able to express their views on the service and to participate in care planning and reviews. People continued to receive a responsive service that reflected their assessed care and support needs. People continued to be involved in activities of their choice.

Staff told us they felt valued and appreciated by the provider, and were confident that they would be listened to if they raised any concerns with a management about the service. Systems were in place, which enabled the provider to monitor the safety and quality of care provided to people.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.