Winton Lodge

Updated 4 September 2019

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.

Inspection team

This inspection was completed by two adult social care inspectors.

Service and service type

Winton Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and spoke with a healthcare professional who worked with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with two members of staff and the registered manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medicines records. We looked at two staff files to check the recruitment process. We reviewed records relating to the management of the service and training records. We walked around the home and observed care practice and interactions between support staff and people.

After the inspection

We requested further information from the registered manager related to the service, this was provided promptly.

Updated 4 September 2019

About the service

Winton Lodge provides accommodation and personal care for up to nine people who have learning disabilities and mental health needs. At the time of the inspection six people were living at the home.

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 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.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People told us they felt safe and that staff had a good understanding of their needs and preferences.

Risks had been identified and measures put in place to keep people safe from harm. Medicines were managed safely and administered by trained staff.

Staff listened to what people wanted and acted quickly to support them to achieve their goals and outcomes.

Staff were well trained and skilled. They worked with people to overcome challenges and promote their independence. The emphasis of support was towards inclusion and enabling people to learn essential life skills.

Equality, Diversity and Human Rights (EDHR) were promoted and understood by staff.

People, professionals and their families described the staff as being, “welcoming, calm, and friendly” and the atmosphere of the home as homely, relaxed and engaging.

People received pre-admission assessments and effective person-centred support. The service was responsive to people's current and changing needs. Regular reviews took place which ensured people were at the centre of their support.

Leadership was visible and promoted good teamwork. People, professionals and staff spoke highly about the registered manager, describing them as showing “strong leadership”; as a result, staff had a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The registered manager and staff team worked together in a positive way to support people to achieve their own goals and to be safe.

The registered manager had implemented many changes which had impacted positively on outcomes for people and staff.

Checks of safety and quality were made to ensure people were protected. Work to continuously improve the service was noted and the registered manager was keen to make changes that would enhance people's lives.

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

Rating at last inspection:

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 14 May 2018).

Why we inspected:

This inspection was a scheduled inspection based on the previous rating.

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.