During an assessment under our new approach
Date of Assessment: 9 July to 10 July.
Winchcombe Place
This service provides accommodation and personal care for up to 80 older people, including people living with dementia. At the time of the assessment, 72 people were receiving care and support at the home.
Feedback from people using the service and their relatives was consistently positive. People told us they felt safe living at the home and described staff as caring, respectful and attentive to their needs.
Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and were able to explain how they would identify, respond to and report concerns. Systems were in place to support people’s safety, including individual risk assessments which reflected people’s needs and levels of risk.
During our visit, we observed a welcoming and well-managed atmosphere. People appeared comfortable in the presence of staff and were supported in a calm and unhurried manner. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and enabled meaningful interactions. Staff engaged with people in a compassionate, respectful and person-centred way. Relatives spoke positively about the quality of care provided, with 1 relative telling us, “When it comes to caring, the staff go above and beyond.”
The provider carried out assessments before people moved into the service to ensure their needs could be met safely and effectively. Care records had been reviewed and developed to better reflect people’s preferences, personal histories and individual support needs.
People received appropriate support to maintain their nutrition and hydration. We saw staff offering choices and respecting people’s preferences regarding meals, drinks and daily routines, helping to promote independence and dignity.
Governance arrangements were in place and quality assurance systems were robust and being used to monitor standards, identify areas for improvement and drive positive change. Staff spoke positively about the improvements made and described increased support from the management team.
There was evidence of a positive learning culture across the service. Accidents, incidents and other events were reviewed to identify themes, trends and opportunities for improvement. Actions were taken where necessary to reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences in the future. The provider worked collaboratively with healthcare professionals and maintained regular communication with relatives, supporting coordinated care and improved outcomes for people.
The management team demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement and service development. They were open and transparent in their approach and showed a clear focus on embedding improvements and sustaining positive outcomes for people receiving care.