Archived: Woodlands Cottage

Updated 6 August 2021

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Woodlands Cottage is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service did not have a registered manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. A registered manager and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. The provider had appointed an interim manager to oversee the service. This person was on leave at the time of the inspection. We were supported on the inspection by the home’s Area Manager.

Notice of inspection

We gave the provider a short period of notice on the morning of the inspection. This was so we could assess the situation with respect to COVID-19 and ensure the inspection was carried out safely for both people living at the home and staff.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included information about concerns and incidents the provider must notify us about. We sought feedback from the local authority professionals who work with the service.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

People who used the service were not able to verbally communicate with us in detail, but we observed they looked happy and relaxed in the company of staff. We spoke with the Area Manager and two support workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people's care and medication records. We looked at one staff file in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 6 August 2021

About the service

Woodlands Cottage is a residential care home providing personal care for up to four people who have learning or physical disabilities. There were two people living at the service at the time of our inspection.

People's experience of using this service and what we found

At the previous inspection we made a recommendation to the provider around improvements to the infection and prevention control processes. At this inspection we found processes had improved and staff were following correct procedures for the use of PPE when caring for people.

People received safe care. There were systems in place to safeguard people from harm or abuse. Risk assessments were in place to support people during their care. Staff had received training on safeguarding matters.

There were arrangements in place to ensure people received their medicines safely and when required. Staff undertook training in the safe management of medicines and regularly had their competencies assessed.

The service followed safe recruitment practices. Staffing numbers were not always in line with identified care needs. Some people needed two staff to support them at times. This left the home short to support or observe other people at the home. We spoke with the Area Manager about this. We have made a recommendation the provider review staff and cover arrangements at the home.

Records were up to date but were spread across several different files. We found it difficult to find certain documents or cross reference information because of the system. The Area Manager was looking to address this matter. Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the quality of care and support people received. The service worked in partnership with other health and social care professionals to meet people's needs.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture. People were supported, as far as possible to make decision about their care or had access to independent advocates. Staff had a good understanding of the support people needed and how they could assist people to live the best lives possible.

Right support:

• Model of care and setting maximises people’s choice, control and

independence

Right care:

• Care is person-centred and promotes people’s dignity, privacy and human

rights

Right culture:

• Ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people

using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives

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 23 March 2021).

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to the safeguarding of people living in the home. We also followed up on previous concerns relating to infection control at the home. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.

We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. We have found the provider has taken the necessary steps to improve.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.