Archived: Woodlands Farmhouse Residential Care

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well-led?

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, the staff supporting them and from looking at records.

If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

We spoke with four people living at Woodlands who told us they felt safe. One person said 'I feel safe that is a good way of putting it'. Another person said 'I feel very safe'.

The manager told us that no applications had needed to be submitted regarding Deprivation of Liberty.

Staff we spoke with told us that they had received training in managing medicines and this was confirmed by the manager. We reviewed medication adminstration record charts and saw that these had been completed correctly and were up to date. We saw that storage of medicines was secure and tidy; medicines were in date.

Systems were in place to make sure that managers and staff learnt from events such as accidents and incidents, complaints and concerns. This reduced the risks to people and helped the service to continually improve.

Is the service effective?

All staff we spoke with told us that because Woodlands was a small home they knew people well and this helped them to understand the preferences and wishes people had.

We noted that an initial assessment was completed when the person moved into Woodlands and this included personal information and preferences the person had.

At lunch time we saw people that needed assistance to eat their lunch being given time and encouragement. We saw that staff explained to people what they were eating and asked if the pace they were going was acceptable to them. When people were able to manage a particular task independently, for example have a drink, they were encouraged to do so.

One relative we spoke with told us 'They have really worked hard at getting (the person's) health back, encouraging them to get up and eat properly and really look after them well. I have no complaints'.

Is the service caring?

During our inspection we observed staff interacting with people throughout the day. We saw that people were given choices about where they wanted to be in the home and treated respectfully and with dignity. Staff regularly communicated with people in a friendly and appropriate way.

One person said 'They are good girls; I am happy here, love it'. Another person said 'It is very good. I wouldn't want to go anywhere else, staff treat us respectfully. Food is very good. I think they would go with what I wanted if I wanted something different to eat.'

A relative told us that the 'quality of care is very good, one of their strengths. The staff always seem cheerful and happy, they are very friendly caring staff. My (relative) said they are very well looked after'.

Is the service responsive?

We looked at care information for three people living at Woodlands and saw that comprehensive assessments, risk assessments and person centred care plans had been completed that reflected individual needs and ensured continuity of care.

Risk assessments and care plans were regularly reviewed and we saw that changes had been noted. For example in one file we saw that over a few months concerns were noted that a person seemed to be more confused. A referral to the memory clinic had been made and an assessment had been carried out. We then saw that the person had appeared more settled again.

Staff we spoke with told us there was good communication through handover meetings, daily notes they kept and any areas of concern would be reported to the manager. This could lead to further monitoring of the person and possible contact with the person's doctor.

Is the service well-led?

Staff had a good understanding of the ethos and the quality of care they were expected to provide.

One member of staff said 'If a resident or a relative raises a concern I go to the manager or deputy, formal complaints are made via the registered manager. Any complaints are acted on quickly'. One person told us 'If something needs to be sorted out they will try to do this'.

Accident and incident forms were completed and these are reviewed by the manager. Learning from accidents and incidents is feedback to staff. One member of staff we spoke with told us that 'if there are any incidents, accidents or complaints learning is fed back to us very quickly'.

Many of the people who lived at the home were not able to fully express their views due to their dementia. We therefore spent time observing care practices and talking with staff as well as talking with people who lived at the home. People who were able to share their views with us told us they were happy with the care that they received. One person said 'The staff help me when I need help.'

Throughout the visit we saw that interactions between staff and people who lived at the home were kind and respectful. People told us staff were always respectful and they felt comfortable and safe with the staff who supported them.

Staff files gave evidence of a robust recruitment process which ensured that new staff had the relevant skills and were of good character. The recruitment procedure minimised the risks of abuse to people who lived at the home by making sure that all staff were thoroughly checked before beginning work.

The management were very visible in the home and worked alongside other staff to provide care to people. This enabled them to supervise staff and monitor standards on an ongoing basis. It also allowed them to seek people's views on a daily basis.