Leighton Forest

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. This is the first assessment for this service. This key question has been rated good. This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.

This service scored 70 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Staff treated and spoke with people kindly and respectfully. Staff treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect. A relative told us, “If something is not right, [staff] will act on it.” A person told us “This is a good place, staff are very polite, they treat me with respect, and they are never rude or unpleasant to me.” A staff member told us, “I think the majority of the staff really do care.”
 

We could not be assured that people’s needs and preferences were always understood and reflected in their care and support. Two people’s care plans stated they did not eat particular foods for religious reasons or past preferences, but their care records showed occasions where they had received foods that did not meet this preference.
Where people’s care plans stated that they had a preference for the gender of staff that supported them with care related to their hygiene, records showed this was not always upheld.

Where people’s care plans stated their preferences for how often they would like support to receive a bath or a shower, records showed they did not receive this support as often as stated. Overall, relatives and people did not raise significant concerns about this. A person said, “I ask for showers; I had one two days ago; twice a week is ok with me.”

In response to our findings, the provider told us people’s relatives had stated due to deterioration in people’s cognitive abilities, their relatives felt it was more important for people to receive the most nutritious foods, whatever this may be. They told us that concerning people’s gender preferences and frequency of support with personal hygiene needs, people’s care plans may not have been accurate about their preferences. The provider acknowledged improvements were needed to care plans and how staff evidenced they offered people regular baths and showers.

People’s independence was promoted in the home's day-to-day running. People took part in cleaning, replenishing the coffee machine, helping the activities team, washing up and taking part in interviewing potential new staff.

People and their relatives told us there were no restrictions on visiting. One relative remarked that they could visit late into the evening and bring their dog to see their family member.
During our assessment, we observed activities such as live entertainers, bingo and a picnic where people from another care home joined in. Activities were regularly arranged, and activities were also planned based on seasonal festivities.

People took part in community-based activities such as visiting garden centres, nail salons, parks, lakes and cafes. Some people and relatives expressed that they wanted access to more individualised activities and outings. The provider had identified this via surveys and was planning actions in response to this feedback.
 

The provider listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. Staff responded to people’s needs in the moment and acted to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress. We observed staff checking in with people to make sure they were comfortable. Staff regularly offered people refreshments such as drinks and snacks between meals. Some staff were particularly skilled and experienced at supporting people living with dementia at times when they were experiencing anxiety or disorientation. For example, when a person had expressed that they had lost an item of comfort to them, a staff member skilfully provided them immediate reassurance and supported them in looking for the item in their bedroom.

Staff told us leaders promoted their wellbeing and that they felt well supported. A staff member said, “No one is unapproachable; any problems, you can go to anybody." Staff were supported to gain further qualifications and develop their continued professional development. A staff member said, “My progression in the company has been amazing, they have been really good to me for progression.” The provider supported staff when their practice fell short of the standards they expected and, where needed and proportionate to do so, taking disciplinary action.