- Care home
Wasdale Court
Assessment report published 23 July 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 28 April to 20 May 2025. The assessment was undertaken in response to concerns received about the service. Wasdale Court is a residential care home supporting people with a learning disability and / or autistic people. At the time of the assessment there were 7 people living at the service.
We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.
Systems and processes were not always effective in identifying concerns or supporting the service to manage quality and drive improvements. There had been a significant turnover of staff which had impacted the people who used the service. New staff had recently been recruited and the provider used agency staff to support people and ensure safe staffing numbers. Areas of the service required refurbishment. When actions had been identified by the provider, these had not always been completed in a timely manner including risks associated with fire doors. Risk management practices were not consistent and the provider did not always ensure staff had received the specialised training to deliver personalised care.
However, we received positive feedback about the new registered manager. A professional told us, “I have been very impressed by the registered manager. They have proved resilient under a good deal of pressure, expresses compassion and concern for the individuals who live at Wasdale Court, and seems to be well across the wider management of the service.” The staff team felt supported and received supervisions and appraisals. Managers and staff shared information with the relevant professionals to try and promote collaborative working. The staff team understood their safeguarding responsibilities and expressed genuine care for the people they supported. The staff team reflected things were improving at the service. There were procedures in place to ensure people received their medicines safely. The management team were open and honest with us during the assessment and were responsive to our feedback.
There was a breach of regulation relating to the governance of the service. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People's experience of this service
People did not always experience an effective level of care. People’s dignity and privacy had not always been promoted. Records did not demonstrate people had been consistently included in discussions about what they wanted to achieve or had always been asked for their consent to their care and support.
People told us the changing staff and use of agency had impacted the care they received as staff were less familiar with their needs and how best to support them. A relative said, “They are changing staff all the time which makes [person’s name] upset.” The provider was reducing the use of agency staff and ongoing recruitment was supporting this. Relatives told us further work was required to promote a consistently person-centred service for people but acknowledged the improvements that had been made and thought the service was safe. A relative told us, "I’ve always been happy with the care." People spoke positively about the new registered manager and were aware of how to share their concerns.