Woodside

We found the following examples of good practice

A robust process was in place to help ensure visitors did not bring COVID-19 into the home. This included lateral flow tests, temperature checks and confirmation of vaccination status.

When community infection rates were at their highest, the registered manager had gone out to local shops and videoed products to help people make choices. Relatives confirmed they had been encouraged and supported to visit their family members.

The home was visibly clean throughout. A dedicated housekeeper carried out frequent cleaning including of high touch point areas such as hoists, light fixtures and door handles. Records were kept of this with these reviewed by the registered manager. A relative said, “The home is always so, so clean.”

Staff were observed wearing PPE in line with government guidance. A relative told us, “Staff are always wearing PPE.” There were plentiful stocks in the home.

Although people were unable to speak with us, we interacted informally with them and observed many kind interactions between people and staff.

The service had supported people to remain safe during the pandemic. A relative said, “I don’t need to give it a second’s thought. I know they are taking good care of [family member].” Another relative expressed, “I absolutely feel [family member] is safe. What they’ve done is incredible. I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

Woodside is a small residential care home without nursing that provides support for up to four people aged 18 to 65 with complex medical, physical and learning needs. It is located in a purpose-built bungalow with a large level-access garden. At the time of our inspection the home was providing support to four people.

People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 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

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. Staff promoted choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People’s relatives and professionals were unanimously positive about the level of care people received at Woodside, which had met and exceeded their expectations.

The home worked with people and their relatives to plan and coordinate a smooth transition to the home and provide responsive care when living there.

People’s quality of life and health outcomes had improved on moving to the home. Relatives told us about the positive impact the home had had on their family members’ lives and their own as a family. Relatives felt that they could now look forward to the future with their family members supported by skilled and attentive staff.

Staff had a good understanding of people’s needs, risks, abilities, achievements and aspirations. This had helped them explore creatively with people, their relatives and relevant professionals how to minimise risks to their safety in the least restrictive ways and support people to lead fulfilling lives free from barriers.

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 registered manager had helped create and maintain an open, supportive and homely culture where people, staff, relatives and professionals were viewed as equal partners in delivering high-quality care. In one of the frequent surveys the home carried out a professional had fed back, ‘‘It is rare to find such a committed and pro-active team offering such high-quality care.”

Relatives spoke positively about the registered manager with one relative commenting, “From the minute we met [name of registered manager] we knew we had made the right choice.”

Although the provider's registration was not reflective of the activities they provide, once identified the provider took immediate action to correct this.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 8 February 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.

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.