Westwinds - Care Home Learning Disabilities

Updated 1 November 2019

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

Westwinds – Care home learning disabilities is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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 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 was not available at the time of the inspection. The provider had informed us of this, and had made suitable arrangements to ensure the ongoing management of the service. A registered manager from another location was providing management to Westwinds.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included information the provider had submitted as notifications. Notifications are information about events which providers are required by law to tell us about. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During the inspection we observed the interactions between people and their staff. We spoke with six members of staff including the manager, the regional support manager, the deputy manager and three support workers. We reviewed two people’s care files including care plans and records of care. We reviewed staff supervision and training records. We reviewed various other documents and policies relevant to the management of the service.

After the inspection

After the inspection we spoke with two relatives of people who lived in the home. We sought clarification from the provider and reviewed quality assurance documents and updated records that had been sent to us.

Updated 1 November 2019

About the service

Westwinds – Care home learning disabilities accommodates up to 10 people in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection nine people were living in the home.

The service was registered before the principles of Registering the Right Support was established. The service was delivered in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence.

People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them. Although the home accommodates more people than Registering the Right Support suggests, this was suitable as the home was one large house, and the atmosphere remained homely. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People’s experience of using this service

Staff knew people well and understood their communication. We saw staff supporting people in a kind and sensitive way and relatives told us they were confident their family members were well cared for.

Staff demonstrated person centred values and supported people to be involved in making decisions about their care. Relatives told us they were confident their family members were safe and well supported, particularly with their health issues.

People’s needs were assessed, and care was planned in line with legislation and good practice guidance. The provider was implementing new care planning tools and medicines systems to improve services for people. Records showed people were supported in line with their needs and preferences. People were supported to maintain their relationships and attend activities in their local community.

Risks faced by people while receiving care had been identified, with clear plans in place to ensure people were protected from harm. People were supported to take their medicines as prescribed. The staff team was very stable, with very low turnover. No new staff had been recruited since our last inspection. The provider’s recruitment policy reflected best practice in ensuring only suitable staff were appointed to work in the home.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

There were robust systems for monitoring and improving the quality and safety of the service. There were regular audits and an overall action plan which ensured continuous improvement at the home.

There was a clear management structure in place and relatives told us they thought the service was well run.

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 9 November 2016).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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