Archived: Woodboro Residential Home

We spoke with 10 of the 19 people who used the service. We also spoke with one person's relative, the manager and five staff members. We also spent time in the lounge and observed the care and support provided to people. We looked at five people's care records. Other records viewed included staff training and recruitment records, health and safety checks, staff meeting minutes and satisfaction questionnaires completed by the people who used the service. We considered our inspection findings to answer questions we always ask; Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service well-led?

This is a summary of what we found;

Is the service safe?

When we arrived at the service a staff member looked at our identification and asked us to sign in the visitor's book. This meant that the appropriate actions were taken to ensure that the people who used the service were protected from others who did not have the right to access their home.

People told us they felt safe living in the service and that they would speak with the staff if they had concerns.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. We found that staff had been trained to understand when an application should be made, and how to submit one. We saw that the staff were provided with training in safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse, Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and DoLS. This meant that staff were provided with the information that they needed to ensure that people were safeguarded.

The service was safe. We saw records which showed that the health and safety in the service was regularly checked. This included regular fire safety checks, this meant that people were protected in the event of a fire. The service was safe, clean and hygienic. Equipment was well maintained and serviced regularly therefore people were not put at unnecessary risk.

We saw the staff rota and dependency levels assessments which showed that the service assessed people's needs to ensure that there were sufficient numbers of staff to meet their needs. People told us that the staff were available when they needed them. One person said, "They (staff) are around when I need them."

We saw that staff recruitment checks were completed to ensure that they were able to work with vulnerable people.

Is the service effective?

People told us that they felt that they were provided with a service that met their needs. One person said, "I am quite happy. I have got nothing to moan about, get everything done for me."

People's care records showed that care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. The records were reviewed and updated which meant that staff were provided with up to date information about how people's needs were to be met.

Is the service caring?

We saw that the staff interacted with people living in the service in a caring, respectful and professional manner. People told us that the staff treated them with respect. One person said, "They (staff) are marvellous."

People who used the service completed satisfaction questionnaires. Where shortfalls or concerns were raised these were addressed.

People's preferences, interests, aspirations and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with their wishes.

Is the service responsive?

People who used the service were provided with the opportunity to participate in activities which interested them. People's choices were taken in to account and listened to.

People told us that they knew how to make a complaint if they were unhappy. However, none had raised a formal complaint. One person said, "No problems at all."

People's care records showed that where concerns about their wellbeing had been identified the staff had taken appropriate action to ensure that people were provided with the support they needed. This included seeking support and guidance from health care professionals, including a doctor and district nurse.

Is the service well-led?

The service worked well with other agencies and services to make sure people received their care in a joined up way.

The service had a quality assurance system and records reviewed by us showed that identified shortfalls were addressed promptly. As a result the quality of the service was continuingly improving.

People's nutritional needs were being met at Woodboro Residential Home, people told us they enjoyed the meals. One person told us: 'Lunch was very nice, very nice indeed.'

We noted that there were suitable arrangements in place to ensure people who lived at Woodboro Residential Home were protected against the risk of abuse.

We found that the provider did not have appropriate recruitment systems in place. The provider was not reporting incidents as required by the regulations.

There were inadequate systems in place to ensure records were accurate and maintained.

People told us that the staff treated them with respect and kindness. One person said, 'They (staff) are kindness itself.' Another person said, 'The staff are very good, I can't fault them.' Another said, "They (staff) are a lovely lot." This was confirmed in our observations during our inspection. We saw that staff interacted with people in a caring, respectful and professional manner.

We looked at the care records of four people who used the service and found that people experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights.