• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Autism Plus Also known as Wildwinds

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

7-9 Field Road, Thorne, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN8 4AG (01405) 814212

Provided and run by:
Autism Plus Limited

All Inspections

10 August 2016

During a routine inspection

Autism Plus, also known as Wildwinds, is a care home for people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The home can accommodate five people. The home has communal lounges and a dining room, and people who use the service each have their own bedroom and bathroom. At the time of our visit five people were living at Wildwinds.

The home 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.

There was a strong, person centred and caring culture in the care and support team. Person centred means that care is tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of each person, as an individual. The vision of the service was shared by the management team and staff.

Staff told us they worked as part of a team, that the home was a good place to work and all staff were committed to providing care that was centred on people’s individual needs. Staff received the training they needed to deliver a high standard of care. They told us that they received a lot of good quality training that was relevant to their job.

Everyone we spoke with including people’s relatives, staff and external professionals said people received individualised care in relation to all of their needs, including their autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). They said the service provided good quality, specialist care for people.

There were effective systems in place to manage risks, safeguarding matters and medication, and this made sure people were kept safe. Where people displayed behaviour that was challenging the training and guidance given to staff helped them to manage situations in a consistent and positive way, which protected people’s dignity and rights.

People received care and support that was responsive to their needs. Care plans provided detailed information about people so staff knew exactly how they wished to be cared for in a personalised way. People were at the forefront of the service and encouraged to develop and maintain their independence. People participated in a wide and varied range of activities. Regular outings were also organised and people were encouraged to pursue their interests and hobbies.

CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and to report on what we find. The members of the management team we spoke with had a full and up to date understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). These safeguards protect the rights of adults by ensuring that if there are restrictions on their freedom and liberty these are assessed by appropriately trained professionals. We found that appropriate DoLS applications had been made, and staff were acting in accordance with DoLS authorisations.

We saw that staff recruited had the right values and skills to work with people who used the service. Where any issues regarding safety were identified in the recruitment process, appropriate safeguards had been put in place. Staff rotas showed that the staffing levels remained at the levels required to make sure people’s needs were met and helped to keep them safe.

Systems were in place which continuously assessed and monitored the quality of the service, including obtaining feedback from people who used the service and their relatives. Records showed that systems for recording and managing complaints, safeguarding concerns, incidents and accidents were managed well and that management took steps to learn from such events and put measures in place. This meant that lessons were learnt and similar incidents were less likely to happen again.

10 October 2013

During a routine inspection

During our inspection all five people who used the service were out at a day centre or participating in activities. One person agreed to come back to the home and speak with us. They told us they liked living at the home and they were well looked after by staff.

Before people received any care or treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. Staff described to us how they encouraged people to make decisions about their care and treatment. Where people had communication difficulties staff used a range of communication tools including pictures and symbols to ensure people could make choices. Where people did not have the capacity to consent, the provider acted in accordance with legal requirements.

People's needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. Staff demonstrated a good knowledge of people's needs.

People were provided with a choice of suitable and nutritious food and drink. Staff encouraged people to eat their food and drink as independently as possible, providing support and assistance where required. People told us they could choose the food they liked.

Appropriate arrangements were in place for the safe administration of medicines. Staff had received training in medicine management.

There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. People were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

There was an effective complaints system available. People who used the service were encouraged to raise any concerns or suggestions.

26 September 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

During our inspection we did not speak with people who used the service about their experiences. This was because our inspection related to a review of staff training and personnel records.

People were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard. We found staff had received appropriate training, professional development, supervision and appraisal.

30 May 2012

During a routine inspection

Most people who lived at Autism Plus were unable to speak with us, due to their complex needs. We were able to speak with one person who used the service. We also spoke with two relatives by telephone to obtain their views about the standard of care and support people received.

The person who used the service told us they enjoyed staying at the home. They told us staff treated them with respect and promoted their privacy and dignity. They confirmed they felt safe. They told us: "Staff are nice to me, always kind, it is safe. I tell them (staff) any problems and they sort it out for me."

The relatives we spoke with expressed their satisfaction with the standards of care at the home. They told us staff were good and they were kept informed of any changes.