Forest Care Home

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

Responsive – this means we looked for evidence that the provider met people’s needs.

At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people’s needs were met through good organisation and delivery.

This service scored 79 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider made sure people were at the centre of their care and treatment choices and they decided, in partnership with people, how to respond to any relevant changes in people’s needs.

Care plans were individualised and person specific, containing all the information so that any member of staff could read and support the person in an empowering, dignified and caring way to encourage the best outcomes, particularly with people who suffered from sensory discomfort or had known triggers. For example, one person preferred to have their clothes warmed up on a radiator before being supported to dress, and if this was not done then it was documented it could impact on their refusal to eat.

Staff understood the need for a person-centred approach, they explained, “Using person-centred approach will ensure care is tailored to the individual and reviewed regularly on a daily basis.”

The home focused on life enrichment, rather than having a task based approach.Cultural and religious needs, as well as sexual orientation and gender identity were openly discussed,documentedand respected, which enabled staff to understand people better and provide person centred care.

The provider understood the diverse health and care needs of people and their local communities, so care was joined-up, flexible and supported choice and continuity.

Care plans guided staff on how to understand and manage people’s health needs. For example, where people lived with epilepsy or asthma, information on how to support them and who to escalate any concerns to, were documented.

Staff explained, “Any changes in the needs of the residents will be documented in the handovers. Care plans and risks assessments will be updated so that the staff would be able to see through, doing this it will ensure right care is provided and all the staff are updated as well.”

We saw evidence of the provider working alongside other services to provide continuity of care. Relatives told us they were kept informed of and were involved in people’s care.

The provider supplied appropriate, accurate and up-to-date information in formats that were tailored to individual needs.

People had their communication needs assessed to enable staff to know how best to communicate and present information to them.

The home displayed information in a way people would be able to understand, for example the activity board was very clear and used pictures to help people understand.

The provider made it easy for people to share feedback and ideas, or raise complaints about their care, treatment and support. Staff involved people in decisions about their care and told them what had changed as a result.

The home held a monthly residents meeting where feedback was discussed with managers and arrangements made for any items to action. For people who did not feel confident enough to join group meetings 1:1 feedback sessions were held to give them the opportunity to give their voice and opinions.

The service worked alongside advocates to ensure people’s voices were heard and represented where appropriate.

The provider made sure that people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it.

People's care plans showed they had access to care and support, and referrals were made for treatment promptly. Staff understood people’s individual needs, explaining, “I adapt my approach to the resident using visual aids where needed ensuring they have everything they needed to communicate effectively,” and “Even though the home is a busy environment, time to empower people to be independent is there as we learn to prioritise people and their needs.”

Staff and leaders actively listened to information about people who were most likely to experience inequality in experience or outcomes and tailored their care, support and treatment in response to this.

Care plans contained information about people’s identity, things which were important to them, their wishes and relationships they wanted to maintain. The registered manager ensured people’s social and healthcare needs were fully considered. Staff understood the importance of understanding the people they supported. Staff said, “adapting my approach empowers the residents to make choices.”

People were supported to plan for important life changes, so they could have enough time to make informed decisions about their future, including at the end of their life.

At the time of the assessment the home was not supporting anyone who was nearing the end of their life. However, care plans did include advanced care planning detailing people’s funeral wishes, family involvement and whether they had any advanced decisions in place. We saw 2 care plans of people who had recently passed which had been reviewed with family prior to their death to guide staff on how best to support them during their final days, for example which music to play, who they would like with them and any religious wishes.

We were also informed of the support the registered manager and staff provided to a person who did not have any family to support them at the end of their life. This included compassionately discussing arrangements with the person to ensure they had their final arrangements carried out with dignity, care and respect.

All staff had completed palliative care training. A staff member explained, “Plans are in place to ensure that they are still comfortable in the event that they deteriorate. Being familiar with any advanced directives is also necessary to ensure people have the high quality of life they deserve.”