Archived: Woodland Grove

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff worked to protect people from the risk of abuse and appropriate action was taken following any incidents to try and reduce the risks of incidents happening again. Risks to people’s health and safety were assessed and plans put into place to reduce risks.

People were supported by a sufficient number of staff and staffing levels were flexible to meet people’s needs. Effective recruitment procedures ensured staff were safe to work with vulnerable adults. People received their medicines as prescribed and they were safely stored.

Staff were provided with a wide range of knowledge and skills to care for people effectively and felt supported in their role. People had access to sufficient quantities of food and drink and were able to choose the food they wanted. People received support from healthcare professionals when needed.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We found this legislation was being used correctly to protect people who were not able to make their own decisions about the care they received. Restraint was only used when necessary and records about restraint were detailed.

Positive and caring relationships had been developed between people and staff and we observed many positive interactions. Staff ensured people’s views were taken into account when making decisions about their care and people were supported to make day to day choices. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and ensured their privacy was respected.

People were provided with care that was responsive to their changing needs and personal preferences. Staff also helped people to be as independent as possible. There was a programme of activities available which was tailored to individual preferences. There was a clear complaints procedure in place and any complaints received had been appropriately responded to.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and these resulted in improvements being made. The registered manager led by example and staff felt able to speak with them about any concerns. There was an open and honest culture in the home.

We observed staff sought people's consent before care and support was provided. Staff offered choices and decisions were respected and acted upon. We saw people were involved in activities of their choice.

We saw that people's support plans and risk assessments reflected their needs and information was person centred. A relative told us, 'He (name) seems happy enough, he never refuses to return after visiting me, I would know if he wasn't happy.'

We observed the home to be well maintained, and saw cleanliness and infection control policies and procedures were in place.

We found staff received relevant training that supported and enabled them to carry out their duties. A relative told us, 'The staff I've met are very capable, they are so caring and understanding towards my son.'

We saw the provider had internal quality, monitoring and audit systems in place.

We also spoke with the registered manager and three staff. We looked at the support plans and records for three people and service information.

The one person who used the service we spoke with talked positively about living at the home. They told us they felt staff listened and supported them well and said they were treated with dignity and respect.

Comments included, 'I've lived here for four years, I get on with all the staff." And 'I want to be more independent, I've started to walk to the local shop by myself, I want to learn how to use public transport one day.'

We spoke with two relatives of people who used the service and they told us they were more than satisfied with the service provided. The relatives spoke positively about the staff team. They said communication was good from the home and they were asked to attend review meetings to discuss their relative's needs.

Comments included, 'The staff are fantastic, and my son's key workers are amazing, they know how to support him so well.' And 'It's the best place he has ever lived the one to one care is brilliant.'