13 March 2018
During a routine inspection
The service provides residential care and support for people who are living with dementia. Amy Woodgate can support up to 44 people, including two respite placements, across four units. Coombe Unit is a male only unit for up to four people. The Lodge provides support to up to 12 people who are assessed as being more independent. Richmond and Malden provide support to up to 14 people on each unit. At the time of our inspection the service was supporting 38 people.
A registered manager was 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.
This inspection visit took place on 13 and 22 March 2018. Our first visit was unannounced.
At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
People using the service and their relatives were very positive about the care and support provided at Amy Woodgate. They said staff treated people respectfully and in a kind and caring manner.
We found 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. Individual care and support needs were fully assessed, documented and reviewed at regular intervals.
People were supported by staff who were trained and well supported in their job roles. Staff members had been safely recruited and had received an induction to the service. Staff we spoke with were confident that they provided a good service to people and said they would recommend Amy Woodgate to others. They had access to supervision and additional support when required.
A consistent established core team of staff provided continuity of care to the people staying there. Some relatives told us they would welcome more permanent staff on duty with the home relying less on agency staff.
People and their relatives or friends felt able to raise any concerns or complaints. There was a procedure in place for people to follow if they wanted to raise any issues. Staff also said they felt comfortable in raising any concerns should they have any.
Staff had received training around safeguarding vulnerable people and knew what action to take if they had or received a concern.
People using the service and their relatives said how clean the home was kept.
The service was exceptionally well led. An experienced registered manager promoted high standards of care and person centred support for people using the service at Amy Woodgate. They monitored the quality of the service and made changes to improve the service provided when required. People who used the service, their relatives and staff found the registered manager and her staff to be approachable and responsive. Staff told us that they would welcome more engagement from senior organisational managers.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.