About the service: Woodland House is a small residential care home that was supporting three people with learning disabilities at the time of the inspection. For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk People’s experience of using this service:
One relative we spoke with could not speak more highly of the staff team, the approach they use and the positive impact this has had on the life of their loved one.
The relative told us, “At Woodland House we have had an amazing experience. There is a really homely environment and we take my relative out weekly. They get really lovely food. [Name of keyworker] has been amazing, the best carer my relative has ever had, really in tune with [name of relative] needs.”
The service supported people with learning disabilities and autism. This was a small home that applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include having control, choice and independence.
The provider supported people to have greatest 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.
Staff supported people to plan their schedules according to their individual needs and wishes, using their own support staff and own cars accessing a variety of opportunities daily with a flexible activity plan designed to respond to people’s mood states on the day.
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.
The registered manager had excellent systems and processes in place ensuring risks were very well managed and care was very personalised and reviewed.
Staffing levels, skills and experience were suitable to meet the needs of people and the registered manager had developed a culture of positive behaviour support amongst the staff team.
The provider implemented safe systems for the management of medicines which included staff training, assessments of staff competency and practiced the principles of STOMP which aims to stop the overuse of anti-psychotic medication for people with learning disabilities or mental health conditions.
The registered manager shared lessons learnt with staff and managed complaints and concerns in an open and honest way with clear evidence of actions taken and follow up.
Relatives told us they were involved and listened to in relation to their relatives care needs but no longer receive emergency calls in the night as people’s needs are managed well by the staff team.
One health professional we spoke with said in relation to involvement and joint working, “I have very valuable one to one sessions with the registered manager and the deputy manager. They are dealing with very complicated clients and the more difficult challenging behaviours that we come across from an intensive support perspective.”
Staff supported people with meals and drinks including specialised diets and to access specialised healthcare when needed.
People decorated their rooms in ways that they preferred and which met individual tastes and supported their anxieties. The provider suitably adapted the environment to meet individual needs of people including the use of communication tools and adaptations to the building itself.
The registered manager and the staff team were very clear about their roles and the impact of good care and used a very consistent approach with excellent personalised positive behaviour support which had greatly reduced incidents at the service.
The registered manager showed ways they were working with other agencies and providers to share ideas and improve services.
The service met the characteristics of Good in Safe, Effective and Caring and most of the characteristics of Outstanding in Responsive and Well-Led. For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection the service was rated Good. (23/04/2016.) Overall, since the last inspection, the service rating has improved.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on previous rating.