Willowhurst

Updated 27 November 2021

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 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

The inspection was completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Willowhurst provides personal care and accommodation for up to five young adults with mental health support needs.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from partner agencies and professionals who work with the service. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with one young person who lived in the home and received written feedback from a second young person living in the home. We interviewed six staff, including; the registered manager, senior staff and support workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people's care records, , staff training and induction records, rotas and incident reports. We looked at a range of records relating to the management of the service, including, policies and procedures, management oversight and governance and property safety and maintenance records. We carried out a visual inspection of communal areas in the home.

Updated 27 November 2021

About the service

Willowhurst provides personal care and accommodation for up to five young people with mental health support needs. The service aims to provide an alternative to hospital. There is a central hub where mental health professionals are based. Young people access their services by visiting the hub in a nearby town and also receive some home visits. The service promotes independence and responsibility for young people who are actively involved in their plans for the future. At the time of the inspection there were two young people living in the service.

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

Young people living in the home were positive about their experiences at Willowhurst. Their comments included; 'I feel safe at all times, staff are always there to help me or reassure me they are here' and 'I enjoy the support I get from staff. I have always got on with people I live with. Willowhurst is the best place for me.'

Young people had been supported to manage risks. The provider had reviewed and updated risk management plans to minimise the potential for harm. Staff said the new plans were helpful and provided clear guidance.

Young people were supported by trained staff. There were enough staff to support young people safely. Staff had received diagnostic training which help provide them with an introduction to specific mental health conditions. Staff were supported by the providers supervision and support policies and praised the support from the registered manager.

The provider and registered manager were clear with staff about the values of the organisation. Staff were positive about the clear example set by the registered manager who they found to be knowledgeable and approachable.

The registered manager had effective oversight of the service which helped ensure the quality of care, records and premises were maintained. The registered manager had established consistent communication with partner agencies and commissioners who confirmed they were kept up to date regularly.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at the last inspection

The last rating for this service was Requires Improvement (published 1 September 2021). There was breach of the regulations in relation to good governance. We had also made recommendations in relation to safe staffing levels, staff training and risk mitigation.

Why we inspected

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of this service on 1 September 2021. A breach of legal requirements was found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve good governance, staffing, training and risk mitigation.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe, Effective and Well-Led, which contain those requirements.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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.

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.