Wood Dene

Updated 22 March 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by an inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Wood Dene is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under 1 contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post. Although, they were temporarily absent and their post was covered, on a full timefull-time basis, by another of the provider’s registered managers.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We visited the service on 15 December 2022 and 16 February 2023. We spoke with 5 people who used the service and 7 staff including the interim manager. We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 people’s care plans, day to day records and medicines records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. We checked a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including staff rotas and service level audits. We requested additional evidence to be sent to us. This included staffing and training information, and provider quality assurance audits. We used this information as part of our inspection. We spoke with 2 people’s relatives by phone to gain their views about the service and received feedback from 3 social care and health care professionals.

Updated 22 March 2023

About the service

Wood Dene is a ‘care home’ that provides care and support for up to 8 younger adults who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder and mental health needs.

CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

The service demonstrated they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right Support

Wood Dene was located in an area that enabled people to access community facilities as well as countryside walks. The registered provider ensured there was a culture of person-centred care and support. People and those important to them, including social care professionals, were involved in planning their care. The registered manager and the staff team ensured people received support based on best practice, respect and inclusivity. Overall, Wood Dene provided an environment and service that was safe, and people told us they felt safe living there.

We have made a recommendation about the review of some people’s risk assessments and care plans.

Right Care

People received person-centred care, which promoted their privacy, dignity and human rights. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff supported people to make decisions following best practice in decision-making. People were well supported with access to health and social care services. There were enough suitably recruited and trained staff to support people to carry out their daily living activities and pursue their hobbies and interests. People enjoyed full and active lives.

Right culture

People living at Wood Dene were engaged and involved in developing and improving the service. The culture was open, honest and positive. The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the interim manager and staff team ensured people lead confident, and empowered lives. The provider had a clearly defined vision and values which staff understood and followed. Staff promoted a safe and consistent atmosphere, which met people's individual needs. Staff knew their responsibilities and were confident to report any concerns to the provider.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 3 April 2020). We have made a recommendation about the review of some people’s risk assessments and care plans.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about care planning and review. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

The overall rating for the service remains good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Wood Dene on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.