Forestview

Updated 15 June 2019

The inspection:

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

Inspection team:

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type: Forestview is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection:

This was an announced inspection which meant the provider had short notice that we would be visiting. This was because people living at the home could become anxious when not prepared for visitors.

What we did:

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service and the service provider. The registered manager 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 looked at notifications we had received for this service. Notifications are information about important events the service is required to send us by law.

We observed the interactions and behaviours of the people who lived at Forestview. We reviewed four people’s records. We also reviewed staff personnel documents, training and supervision records and a range of records about how the service is run. We spoke with the registered manager the deputy manager, the area care manager and three members of the care team. Following the inspection we received feedback from one professional who visited the service.

Updated 15 June 2019

About the service:

Forestview is a residential home for adults with learning disabilities. It provides accommodation for up to eight people. There were seven people living there at the time of our inspection. The home is a bungalow with a communal lounge and dining room and an accessible kitchen. The service is run by the White Horse Care Trust.

People’s experience of using this service:

Forestview has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin Registering the Right Support, Building 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.

Relatives told us their family member was safe at Forestview. Staff had received safeguarding training and knew when and how to raise concerns.

People were protected from risks. There were various risk assessments in place for each person giving guidance to staff to reduce the risks identified. Risk assessments were reviewed regularly or when people’s needs changed.

There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty. Permanent staff were still being recruited but consistent agency and bank staff who knew people well, were being used. Staff had been recruited safely with all the appropriate checks in place.

Medicines were administered, stored and managed safely. Audits identified no errors in the months preceding the inspection.

Forestview was clean, tidy and homely and suited to the needs of people living there. People had individualised rooms with their personal items and favourite colours and décor.

People’s needs were thoroughly assessed by a multi-disciplinary team of specialist professionals within the learning disabilities service. People had access to health care and hospital treatment when needed.

Staff were trained in all of the providers mandatory areas and had the ability to access on line, face to face or group training. New staff had a robust and supported induction period. Some formal one to one supervision and appraisals were behind schedule but staff had regular informal ‘job chats’.

The service had improved to good in caring. The staff were very caring and knew people, their preferences likes and dislikes well. Staff took pride in the standard of care they provided. We received good feedback from relatives and visiting professionals about the quality of care and the quality time staff spent with people.

The service had improved to good in responsive. Care plans were person centred and were regularly reviewed and updated. They were all being actively reviewed at the time of the inspection ready for transfer to an efficient electronic version.

When people’s needs changed the appropriate referrals were made to re-assess and devise new strategies to support them effectively. The staff had regular meetings and discussions with health and social care professionals to ensure the right care was being provided.

There was a clear and supportive management structure in place. Quality assurance, audits and monitoring were undertaken by several layers of management. This meant that areas identified for improvement were acted upon in a timely manner.

Rating at last inspection: Requires Improvement (report published 28 March 2018).

Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up: We will monitor all intelligence about the service to inform when the next inspection should take place.