About the service The Willows is a residential care home providing personal care for up to six people. At the time of inspection, six people were living at the service. People living at the Willows had learning disabilities and some physical disabilities.
The Willows was an adapted building, in a bungalow style. The building was wheelchair accessible and had a large garden, that people liked to use.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible to gain new skills and become more independent.
People were not able to tell us that they felt safe, however we observed them to feel relaxed around staff that knew them, and their support needs well. Risks to people were well known and there were robust assessments to address concerns.
There were enough staff to ensure people’s needs and routines were met, and staff were recruited safely. The building was kept clean and safe through regular health and safety checks. People received their medicines safely from trained and competent staff.
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.
Staff had all received a variety of training to meet people’s needs, such as epilepsy and managing behaviours that challenged. Staff had also received more specialised training in advanced communication techniques.
People’s nutritional needs were consistently met, and guidance given by professionals followed by staff. People could choose what they wanted to eat and drink each day. People also received regular support from health and social care professionals to ensure their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Everyone we spoke to was consistent in their views that staff were kind, caring and attentive. One professional said, “Any interactions with residents I have seen during my visits have always been very supportive and caring.” We observed that strong relationships had been built between people and staff, based on mutual respect and trust. People’s dignity, privacy and independence was continually promoted.
People received personalised support centred around their support needs, preferences and choices. This was regularly reviewed with people, their relatives and professionals. People were engaged in a variety of activities of their choosing each day, based on their interests. This included building relationships with members of the community.
Staff, professionals and a relative spoke highly of the registered manager and felt the service was well-led. Audit processes were robust which meant that the registered manager had clear oversight of the service and people’s experiences. The registered manager valued continuous learning and had on-going plans to improve the skills and knowledge of staff. They also sought regular feedback from people, relatives, staff and professionals to improve the service provided.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good. (published August 2016)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.