• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Autism Wessex-Highcroft and Valley View

Whetley Road, Broadwindsor, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3QT (01308) 867444

Provided and run by:
Autism Unlimited limited

All Inspections

31 March 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We spoke with the registered manager, three staff members and inspected the home environment. We found the home was clean. Repairs and refurbishments which meant effective cleaning could take place had been made. Staff we spoke with told us that the additional support with cleaning had made a difference as they could concentrate more on providing care and support as needed by people. Staff demonstrated awareness of their responsibilities to prevent and control infection. We found that there was a system to check and monitor the hygiene.

1 February 2014

During a routine inspection

The inspection was carried out on 1 February 2012. As the registered manager was not available on this date we revisited the home on 4 February 2014 to discuss issues further with them.

We spoke to one person living at the home. They told us that staff assisted them with the choices they made. The staff told us that arrangements were in place for this person to move on as they wanted to try supported living.

Where people could not consent to care and treatment the staff advocated for them to ensure they were supported in making safe decisions. However the provider could not evidence that due legal processes were being consistently followed in relation to making best interest decisions.

The home was not clean and whilst suitable arrangements were in place to ensure that the home was cleaned these arrangements were not effective. The provider had policies and guidance in relation to preventing health acquired infections but these was not being followed.

The medication administration at the home was safe and an audit had been carried out to ensure the provider's policy was being followed.

The records used by the provider gave staff instructions with regards to the day to day living and support needs of people living at the home. However these were either inaccurate or lacked clear and concise information to ensure that people were supported in a safe and consistent way. Training records were inaccurate.

1 April 2013

During a routine inspection

We found that assessment and care planning was detailed and personalised at Highcroft and Valley View. People received care in a way that met their specific needs and protected their welfare and safety.

We found that steps were taken to ensure the right people were employed at the home and that staff knew how to protect people from abuse. Arrangements were in place to respond to complaints and comments about the service.

We found that that consent was not always being properly sought for people's care at the home. We saw that some people were unable to consent to their care.and decisions were sometimes being made on their behalf without using appropriate procedures.

8 August 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns

Most of the people we met were not able to use words. However, interactions that we saw between staff and the people they supported were respectful and natural. People showed us that they were at home in their surroundings. Their bedrooms and living rooms reflected their individual personalities and interests. People had their meals where and how they liked them, some with direct assistance. They were not hurried when eating meals, or in any other aspect of daily life. We did not see staff relaxing their awareness of people's needs or leaving people having to wait for support.

We saw that each person living in the home had a structured activity plan for each day of the week. We saw that people used outdoor spaces, including a summerhouse, when they chose to do so. We saw all the people in the home being taken out individually by car to various planned activities and appointments in the community. The way these trips were organised appeared to meet people's needs for physical and emotional reassurance.

A person told us they liked the fact that the home was divided into separate living areas. They felt safe to live their life and to have staff working just with them.