Archived: Woodrow Cottage

We saw that systems were in place to gain and review people’s consent to care and support. Where people did not have the capacity to consent the provider acted in accordance with legal requirements. Care and support was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. A member of staff we spoke with demonstrated their knowledge of the support plans and of the outcomes they were supporting people to achieve. Checks were undertaken before staff began work and there were effective recruitment and selection processes in place. We saw that appropriate records were maintained and that suitable arrangements were in place for supporting people with medicines.

We observed that staff communicated effectively with people using the service and supported them in ways that promoted their independence. Support provided was individual to people's needs. Health issues and any risks associated with the individual's care and support were assessed and managed well, taking into account people's safety and their right to make choices.

The service had systems in place to ensure people were protected from abuse, or the risk of abuse, and their rights were respected and upheld. Staff had an understanding of safeguarding issues and how to report abuse or allegations of abuse.

We observed people were supported by adequate numbers of staff, all of whom received ongoing training to ensure they had the knowledge and skills to meet people's needs.

We saw that there were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service that people received and to continually make improvements. We saw feedback from a relative who wrote 'Thank you all so much for your continued and constant care and support."