The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: 52 Wellington Road

52 Wellington Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 5AP (01823) 334132

Provided and run by:
Voyage 3 Limited

All Inspections

31 October 2013

During a routine inspection

When we visited 10 people were using the service. People had very complex needs and not all were able to engage in conversations with us. We were able to observe how staff interacted with people and we spoke to staff about the experiences of the people they supported. The atmosphere in the home was very happy and relaxed.

Staff interactions were kind and professional and people appeared very comfortable with the staff who supported them. We saw that staff were very skilled in recognising and responding to changes in people's behaviour which may indicate they were unhappy or becoming distressed. The staff we spoke with had a very good understanding about the needs and preferences of the people they supported.

People were supported to make choices about their day to day lives. Staff used a range of communication methods to assist people. These included photographs, objects of reference and signing.

The home provided a comfortable and safe environment for the people who lived there. A programme of redecoration and refurbishment had commenced.

Staff morale was noted to be very good. Staff told us they received the required training to enable them to meet the needs of the people they supported.

Systems were in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service people received.

25 January 2013

During a routine inspection

When we visited 10 people were using the service. The majority of people had limited or no verbal communication. We observed how staff interacted with people and we spoke with staff about the experiences of the people they supported.

We saw that appropriate procedures were followed where an individual was unable to consent to the care and treatment they received.

Care and support plans were personalised to the individual and gave details about their preferences as well as their physical and mental health needs. People were able to access a range of activities and social events within the home and in the community. We saw that staff supported people to maintain contact with the important people in their lives.

Staff were skilled in recognising and responding to people who were unable to express their needs and wishes verbally.

The home followed appropriate procedures for the management and administration of people's prescribed medication. This meant that people received their medicines when they needed them.

We saw that there was a clear staffing structure in place which meant that senior staff were available to support less experienced staff. There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet the needs of the people who lived at the home.

The home had a complaints procedure which had also been displayed in an accessible format for the people who lived in the home. We saw that the home had followed appropriate procedures when concerns had been raised.

19 May 2011

During a routine inspection

Many of the people living in the home were unable to communicate verbally. We spent time talking with some people and observing and listening to the care people received. The atmosphere in the home was very happy, fun and caring. Staff were observed being kind and patient. Staff used signing with some people and spoke with people in a respectful manner.

People who were able to told us that staff were kind and treated them respectfully. Some people told us that staff discussed their care and treatment with them through one to one meetings and care plan reviews. Some people told us that they talk to their key worker or any staff if they are concerned about anything. They said they felt listened to. Two people told us that they attended regular house meetings. These give people the opportunity to contribute to how the home is run, raise concerns and make choices and decisions. One person showed us a new communication system that will be used in the future. This was a picture board to help people understand and help them to communicate. We observed other pictorial methods of communication throughout the home, for example, worry cards for people to indicate they had concerns and pictures of food for menu choices.

Some people showed us their bedrooms. They said they liked their bedrooms and were involved in how it was decorated and furnished. Some people told us that they get involved in cleaning their rooms and doing their laundry. We observed bedrooms to be individualised, bright and homely.

Some people told us they helped to cook meals. One person told us about cooking cakes regularly. Another person told us that they had regular cooking sessions which they enjoyed.

Some people told us they meet potential staff when they are being shown round the home. Other people told us they were involved in interviewing potential staff which they enjoyed.