About the service: The Chestnuts is a care home for seven people with a learning disability. The home is divided into three separate units called Lower Woodlands, Upper Woodlands and Meadow View, which are managed as one service.People’s experience of using this service:
¿ Staff had real care and empathy and knew people well. Staff were extremely caring, kind and compassionate. They also conveyed they really valued working with people at the home.
¿ The team worked hard to focus on providing an atmosphere like a family home. Staff were calm and unobtrusive, allowing the person to be the focus of attention and promoting equality for all.
¿Staff were knowledgeable and confident in ensuring better outcomes for people. The staff had a clear understanding of their role and how to best support people.
¿People really benefited because the registered manager led with a clear vision to enable people to live fulfilled lives as independently as possible.
¿There was a transparent culture where staff felt able to discuss issues or incidents in an open way. This in turn promoted improvement. Positive teamwork and communication was embedded in the team.
¿People were at the heart of the service and there were many celebrated positive outcomes for people.
¿Care records reflected people's needs thoroughly and in a person-centred way. For example, each person had their own unique pictures used alongside their care plan. This was to help them understand what was written.
¿ People were supported to take positive risks and be as independent as possible. People were enabled through encouragement to be independent and undertake as much as possible for themselves.
¿ Risk assessments were detailed and ensured people experienced minimal restriction. There were many ways people were supported out of their usual routines and encouraged to try new experiences.
¿People benefited because a range of initiatives were used to assist people to communicate their preferences, choices and make decisions.
¿Staff went to great lengths to support people who lacked capacity to express their wishes, and staff were unhurried and patient. The communication plan stated reasons why a person might want to communicate and how certain behaviours may indicate a specific way of expressing a need.
Rating at last inspection: The service was rated Good
Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on previous rating
for more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.