We carried out a review of the data available to us about Wood Dene on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Wood Dene, you can give feedback on this 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.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe living at the home. They were supported by staff who were trained and understood their safeguarding responsibilities. There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. People received their medication as prescribed. Risks to people had been assessed, monitored and reviewed. The home was found to be clean and without odour.
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. People received sufficient amounts to eat and drink. We observed a positive mealtime experience. Staff received ongoing support through training and supervision meetings. Each person had a health action plan which demonstrated their healthcare needs had been assessed and met.
Staff had the right characteristics to work with the people they were supporting. We observed staff had natural interactions with people whose needs they understood well. People’s privacy and dignity was respected. Peoples’ independence was promoted by staff who encouraged them to learn new skills.
The home was well run by the registered manager who demonstrated their oversight of the service. Opportunities were provided for people, relative and staff to have their say about the running of the home.
People and relatives knew how to complain and systems were in place to manage such issues. People lived active lives where they were encouraged to be part of their community. Care plans were person-centred and contained information about peoples’ routines which was important to them.
We have made a recommendation about exploring people’s end of life care wishes.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 25 January 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.