Oxley Woodhouse

Oxley Woodhouse is registered to provide personal care for up to 17 people with learning disabilities and other complex health needs. Accommodation at the main building of the home consists of one three-bedroom apartment and two five-bedroom apartments located over two floors which can be accessed by stairs. There is a communal kitchen/dining room, lounge and access to the secure garden. There is also a purpose-built building which houses four one-bedroom apartments with access to the secure garden. On the day of inspection there were 17 people living at the home.

At the time of registration the care service had not been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. However, the service is now working towards developing the provision in line with these principles. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At our last inspection the service was rated good overall. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Relatives of people who used the service told us their relatives were safe living at Oxley Woodhouse. Staff had received safeguarding training and knew what to do to keep people safe. Individual risks had been assessed and identified as part of the support and care planning process.

Staff were recruited safely and thorough checks were completed before staff started working at the home. We saw there were sufficient numbers of staff to ensure people’s care needs were met. Staff had received training, supervision and appraisal to ensure people received effective care and this also enabled the development of good practice.

Medicines were stored and managed safely. Regular medicine audits were undertaken.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Staff had undertaken training on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff were able to explain how this legislation related to the people they supported, which meant people’s rights were being protected. The registered providers new MCA paperwork did not evidence best practice decisions.

We have made a recommendation about the recording of best interest decisions.

People enjoyed a range of activities and were encouraged to maintain life skills and have maximum control over their lives. Staff supported people to retain their independence.

The home had good management and leadership and the registered manager was visible, working with the team, monitoring and supporting staff to ensure people received the care and support they needed. Feedback regarding the registered manager and management team was positive.

Regular quality assurance audits took place within the home to help monitor and improve.

The service had a complaints policy and process in place. Relatives told us they knew what to do if they had any concerns or complaints about the service.

The service worked in partnership with other organisations and local commissioners.

Oxley Woodhouse is registered to provide accommodation for up to 17 people. There were 17 people living at the home at the time of our inspection.

Accommodation at the home is provided over two floors, which can be accessed by stairs.

Prior to our inspection we reviewed information from notifications. We had received some anonymous information of concern that suggested people’s care was not being carried out safely or properly. We found some, although limited, evidence to support the concerns raised to us, although could not find evidence of any impact upon people’s care.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

Risk assessments were thoroughly recorded and known by staff and the environment was well thought out to meet the particular needs of people living in the home.

Staff demonstrated safe practice and had a good understanding of how to keep people safe, with regard for the safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures.

Accidents and incidents were analysed in detail to ensure people’s safety was being maintained

Staffing levels were seen to be supportive of people’s needs, although staff sometimes worked long hours and combined their caring duties with ancillary tasks, such as cleaning, which had the potential to detract from the quality of care people received.

Staff had regular opportunities to update their skills and professional development and they demonstrated a very good understanding of the impact of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People experienced good quality interactions from kind and caring staff.

Staff worked well as a team, although some staff said morale was low and they did not feel fully supported by managers and the organisation.

Care records were highly person centred with clear information covering all aspects of people’s individualised care and support. Staff knew people well.

People felt supported to complain if they were unhappy about any aspect of their care and there was plenty of information in easy read format for people to understand.

Quality assurance systems were in place and there were clearly defined roles so that all staff knew who was in charge of the running of the home.