Westwood Care and Support Limited

Updated 1 December 2018

The inspection: We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, 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 adult social care inspector.

Service and service type: Westwood Care and Support Limited is a domiciliary care agency, providing personal care and support to people living in their own homes. The service operates from an office based in Halewood, Knowsley. At the time of this inspection eight people were using the service.

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

Notice of inspection: We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because we needed to be sure that someone would be in the office to support our inspection.

What we did when preparing for and carrying out this inspection: We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about, such as abuse. We also reviewed the Provider Information Return (PIR). The PIR provides key information about the service, what the service does well and the improvements the registered provider plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection, we spoke with four people who used the service, the registered manager and three members of staff. We reviewed care records belonging to four people and recruitment, supervision and training records for three staff. We also reviewed a range of quality assurance records.

Updated 1 December 2018

What life is like for people using this service:

The care service had been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with a learning disability were supported to live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

People were protected from abuse. Staff understood their role and responsibilities for keeping people safe from harm. People told us they felt safe using the service and would tell someone if they felt unsafe. Medication was managed safely. There were safe processes in place to enable people to obtain and administer their own medication. People were supported to take risks as part of an independent lifestyle. People were protected from the risk of the spread of infection because staff followed good infection control practices. People’s needs were met by the right amount of staff who were suitably skilled and experienced.

Care plans identified intended outcomes for people and how they were to be met in a way they preferred. People told us that staff provided them with all the right care and support. Staff were inducted into their roles and completed the training they needed. People were supported to shop for their own food and plan healthy meals of their choice. People received the support they needed with their healthcare. People consented to their care and support. Staff understood people’s rights to make decisions in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People were treated with kindness, compassion and respect. People told us that staff were kind and respectful of their privacy, dignity and independence. Staff supported people to maintain and develop life skills and to achieve their goals and aspirations. Staff understood and supported people to maintain important relationships.

People were involved in the development and reviewing of their care plans. People’s strengths, level of independence, personal history, hobbies and interest were reflected in their care plans. People were supported to access the local community and work opportunities. People were provided with information about how to complain and they were confident about complaining should they need to. They were confident that their complaint would be listened to and acted upon quickly.

The service was well managed by a person who promoted a positive culture that was person centred and inclusive. People and staff described the registered manager as supportive and approachable. They told us they were fully engaged and involved in the running and development of the service. The systems for checking on the quality and safety of the service were effective and helped to make improvements to the service.

More information is in Detailed Findings below

Rating at last inspection: Good (report published 16 June 2015)

About the service: Westwood Care and Support Care Limited provides care and support to people living in three ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live in their own homes as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support. At the time of our inspection the service was supporting 8 people with a learning disability.

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The service remained rated Good overall.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.