12 July 2021
During an inspection looking at part of 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.