Archived: Care Management Group - Winston Lodge

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, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good.

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.

The service had taken appropriate steps to protect people from the risk of abuse, neglect or harassment.

Staffing levels ensured that people's care and support needs were continued to be met safely and safe recruitment processes continued to be in place.

Consent was sought, where possible. The service followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People's needs were assessed and care plans in place. People received appropriate care and support because care plans were detailed and responsive to their needs.

Risks continued to be assessed and recorded by staff to protect people. There were systems in place to monitor incidents and accidents. There were arrangements in place for the service to make sure that action was taken and lessons learned when things went wrong, to improve safety across the service.

People received their medicines safely. People’s medicines were reviewed regularly by their GP and specialist health care providers.

Staff were caring and compassionate. People were treated with dignity and respect and staff ensured their privacy was maintained. People were encouraged to make decisions about how their care was provided. Staff had a good understanding of people's needs and preferences.

Staff received induction, training and supervision that helped them to deliver good levels of care and support. Staff were trained in principles of care in relation to people living with a learning disability.

Systems continued to be in place to ensure the premises was kept clean and hygienic so that people were protected by the prevention and control of infection.

The service had an open culture which encouraged communication and learning. People, relatives and staff were encouraged to provide feedback about the service and it was used to drive improvement.

There were policies in place that ensured people would be listened to and treated fairly if they complained about the service.

Quality assurance audits were carried out to identify any shortfalls within the service and how the service could improve.

People were supported to eat and drink according to their likes and dislikes.

One relative told us that 'overall, the service was run extremely well' and that 'the staff really do care about the people using the service'.

Before people received any care or treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes.

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare.

People's health, safety and welfare was protected when more than one provider was involved in their care and treatment, or when they moved between different services. This was because the provider worked in co-operation with others.

People were cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

There was an effective complaints system available. One of the relatives we spoke with told us that the manager was very approachable if they had any concerns about the service and that any problems would be dealt with satisfactorily.

For each person living in the home there was a detailed plan of care in place that included people's individual needs and wishes and also detailed physical and emotional needs. We saw that the plans were regularly updated and the people they referred to were involved in the process.

In order to meet individual needs, the home's staff worked with a variety of healthcare professionals including learning disability teams and we were shown that specialist consultants were used where appropriate.

People were protected from risk of abuse or harm by there being safeguarding polices and procedures in place and by staff knowing how and when to use them.

There was sufficient staff to meet individual's needs and we found that staff were well supported.

People were very positive about staff and said that they were kind and supportive. A regular visitor to the home commented. 'Staff are always busy but happy and they work well with clients."

There was a regular cycle of quality audits undertaken to ensure that the home was kept under review. We saw that outcomes from the last audits were positive. A relative said. 'The support, kindness and care shown to my relative is second to none.' A person using the service said. 'It's nice here and helps me with what I like and I don't like.'