Inspection on 15/12/08 for The Woodlands

This inspection was carried out on 15th December 2008.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Good service.

The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

Other inspections for this house

The Woodlands 15/12/06

The Woodlands 08/02/06

The Woodlands 20/07/05

The Woodlands 26/01/05

The Woodlands 19/10/04

Similar services:

Polesworth Group Friary Road

Polesworth Group Pooley Heights

Polesworth Group 32 Station Road

Polesworth Group 70 Long Street

Breme

Polesworth Group 64 Long Street

Polesworth Group 68 Long Street

10 Whitfield Avenue

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 28/06/2009.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: The Woodlands 20 Woodlands Avenue Wolstanton Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 8AZ     The quality rating for this care home is:   two star good service A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. Lead inspector: Wendy Grainger     Date: 1 5 1 2 2 0 0 8 This is a report of an inspection where we looked at how well this care home is meeting the needs of people who use it. There is a summary of what we think this service does well, what they have improved on and, where it applies, what they need to do better. We use the national minimum standards to describe the outcomes that people should experience. National minimum standards are written by the Department of Health for each type of care service. After the summary there is more detail about our findings. The following table explains what you will see under each outcome area. Outcome area (for example Choice of home) These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. the things that people have said are important to them: They reflect This box tells you the outcomes that we will always inspect against when we do a key inspection. This box tells you any additional outcomes that we may inspect against when we do a key inspection. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: This box tells you our opinion of what we have looked at in this outcome area. We will say whether it is excellent, good, adequate or poor. Evidence: This box describes the information we used to come to our judgement. Copies of the National Minimum Standards – Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or bought from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to: · · · · Put the people who use social care first Improve services and stamp out bad practice Be an expert voice on social care Practise what we preach in our own organisation Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 24 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2009) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. www.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 24 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: The Woodlands 20 Woodlands Avenue Wolstanton Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 8AZ 01782622089 01782715412 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Acorn Care Limited care home 7 Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 learning disability Additional conditions: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home The Woodlands was registered and opened in February 2001 to provide accommodation for up to seven people who have a learning disability. The home provides care for people with a mild to moderate learning disability and may also have challenging behaviours or mental health needs. The aim of the service was to promote independence. The home is a large detached Victorian building in a desirable residential area of Wolstanton providing easy access to the village and also Newcastle Town Centre, there is good public transport access. Accommodation is on four floors (only two used by people). On the first floor five bedrooms, bathroom and shower and toilet. The top floor provides office and staff accommodation. All bedrooms are for single use, five have en-suite facilities three with baths. There is small garden to the front of the property and large garden area and patio to the rear. The fees for the service were £194-£240 daily. The fee information included in this report applied at the time of the inspection. The reader may wish to contact the service to obtain up to date information from the service. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 24 Over 65 0 7 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 24 Summary This is an overview of what we found during the inspection. The quality rating for this care home is: Our judgement for each outcome: two star good service Choice of home Individual needs and choices Lifestyle Personal and healthcare support Concerns, complaints and protection Environment Staffing Conduct and management of the home peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: The overall quality rating for this service is 2 star. This means that the people who use the service experience good quality outcomes. One inspector carried out this unannounced key inspection on one day between 8:00 and 16:00 hours. The service completed an Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA). This is a self assessment tool, which was used as part of the key inspection. The completion of the AQAA is a legal requirement and it enables us to see how well the service focuses on the outcomes for people to make sure that their needs are being met. The AQAA also gives us some numerical information about the service. We received completed Have your say surveys from people who use the service and staff. We collated the information from these surveys and used this for our inspection. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 24 We spoke to a number of people to find their views about what it is to live at the service. We looked around the premises to see the standard of comfort and safety. We looked at the menus to assess the standard in terms of meeting peoples needs. What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 4. The report of this inspection is available from our website www.csci.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning our order line –0870 240 7535. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 24 Details of our findings Contents Choice of home (standards 1 - 5) Individual needs and choices (standards 6-10) Lifestyle (standards 11 - 17) Personal and healthcare support (standards 18 - 21) Concerns, complaints and protection (standards 22 - 23) Environment (standards 24 - 30) Staffing (standards 31 - 36) Conduct and management of the home (standards 37 - 43) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 9 of 24 Choice of home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People are confident that the care home can support them. This is because there is an accurate assessment of their needs that they, or people close to them, have been involved in. This tells the home all about them, what they hope for and want to achieve, and the support they need. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, and people close to them, can visit the home and get full, clear, accurate and up to date information. If they decide to stay in the home they know about their rights and responsibilities because there is an easy to understand contract or statement of terms and conditions between the person and the care home that includes how much they will pay and what the home provides for the money. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People received a full assessment of their needs prior to being offered a place. People have the opportunity to visit and stay overnight to help them decide if it will fulfil their needs before they move in. Evidence: The services completed Annual Quality Assurance Assessment document provided comprehensive detailed information for the admission of any new person. We checked out two care plans including the last person. We were confident that people who use the service were supported prior to their admission to the service. At the time of our visit, they told us that they were asked if they wanted to live at the Woodlands. This confirmed the comments in the completed Have your say surveys. One person told us I am alright here, staff are here and look after us Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 24 Individual needs and choices These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People’s needs and goals are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. People are able to make decisions about their life, including their finances, with support if they need it. This is because the staff promote their rights and choices. People are supported to take risks to enable them to stay independent. This is because the staff have appropriate information on which to base decisions. People are asked about, and are involved in, all aspects of life in the home. This is because the manager and staff offer them opportunities to participate in the day to day running of the home and enable them to influence key decisions. People are confident that the home handles information about them appropriately. This is because the home has clear policies and procedures that staff follow. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People who use the service are supported by appropriately maintained care plans. Each person is involved in planning of their care and lifestyle, which ensures that their needs are met to their satisfaction. Evidence: We were told and it was evidenced in the care plans that care is arranged and provided based on the assessment of peoples individual needs. The care plans seen included risk assessments, health needs a social plan and access to any other professional agency. We observed the interaction between the staff and the people who use the service. Each one was relaxed and comfortable, there was respect between both parties. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 24 Lifestyle These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: Each person is treated as an individual and the care home is responsive to his or her race, culture, religion, age, disability, gender and sexual orientation. They can take part in activities that are appropriate to their age and culture and are part of their local community. The care home supports people to follow personal interests and activities. People are able to keep in touch with family, friends and representatives and the home supports them to have appropriate personal, family and sexual relationships. People are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. Their dignity and rights are respected in their daily life. People have healthy, well-presented meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. People have opportunities to develop their social, emotional, communication and independent living skills. This is because the staff support their personal development. People choose and participate in suitable leisure activities. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People who use the service have a lifestyle that has been developed to ensure that individuals expectations and needs are met. Evidence: People who use the service are encouraged to develop their interests and continue with their lifestyle outside the service. Holidays were not part of the services contract and we discussed the need to review this area. People who use the service told us that they go home to see families. People help on a weekly basis this was evidenced with the preparation of the lunch. From the information in the AQAA people are involved inhouse education, one person is seeking employment since finishing a college course. Information in the AQAA told us that it was hoped to provide more trained staff to further support community access further. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 12 of 24 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 13 of 24 Personal and healthcare support These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People receive personal support from staff in the way they prefer and want. Their physical and emotional health needs are met because the home has procedures in place that staff follow. If people take medicine, they manage it themselves if they can. If they cannot manage their medicine, the care home supports them with it in a safe way. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them to feel comfortable and secure. They, and people close to them, are reassured that their death will be handled with sensitivity, dignity and respect, and take account of their spiritual and cultural wishes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People are supported with their health, personal and emotional care needs by staff who are appropriately trained. Evidence: People who use the service are well supported in their personal and health care needs. No one person required assistance on a daily basis only prompts to remind them. Privacy was evidenced during the inspection with the staff knocking on a bedroom door to offer assistance. We were told by two people whose the service that the staff are always there for them. I can go to who is on duty if my key worker is not here Arrangements were in place for the continued health care from other professional agencies including support by the mental health team. Transport is provided to appointments where necessary. We identified that the previous night only, medication had not been signed for, and two medications no longer required need to be returned in the next collection by the pharmacy. Medication was secured safely and administered at the time it was prescribed for. Not all the people were prescribed medication, people by choice and ability do not self-administer their medication. We saw that medication audits were Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 14 of 24 Evidence: carried out regularly this is good practice as the manager can then identify any shortfalls or concerns. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 15 of 24 Concerns, complaints and protection These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: If people have concerns with their care, they or people close to them, know how to complain. Their concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse, neglect and self-harm and takes action to follow up any allegations. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Processes are in place to ensure that views are listened to, concerns are acted upon and that people are protected from harm and abuse. Evidence: Information sent to us indicated three complaints had been received, one had been upheld. Records provided by the manager confirmed that the issues had been addressed to the satisfaction of the people concerned. Two safeguarding concerns had been addressed by the home to protect the people concerned. People spoken to told us they knew who to speak to if they have a concern, which was confirmed in the completed Have your say surveys.They told us they felt that whatever it was the staff would help them. Records for staff training identified that staff had been made aware of the need to protect people who use the service from any form of abuse. The manager agreed to ensure the information provided in the complaints process was accurate; and she would update the address of the commission. The service encourages individuals to be responsible for their own finances. Each person was provided with the appropriate facility to ensure personal possessions and money were safe. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 16 of 24 Environment These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People stay in a safe and well-maintained home that is homely, clean, comfortable, pleasant and hygienic. People stay in a home that has enough space and facilities for them to lead the life they choose and to meet their needs. The home makes sure they have the right specialist equipment that encourages and promotes their independence. Their room feels like their own, it is comfortable and they feel safe when they use it. People have enough privacy when using toilets and bathrooms. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People who use the service live in a warm, comfortable hygienic environment Evidence: Located off a busy main road the service is ideally positioned for the shops in the area and public transport to the nearby town. We saw that the service was exceptionally clean and tidy and it was nice and warm.These findings confirmed comments written in the have your say surveys by the people whose the service. Information provided in the AQAA, discussions with the manager and people who use the service told us that that new windows, decoration and carpets had been done since the last key inspection. We looked at peoples bedrooms in the company of two of the occupants. Each one was extremely tidy and personalised. The people told us that they keep the room tidy as part of my routine. Areas within the service was domestic and homely. The laundry in the cellar was well organised, the laundry was part of the living skills for each individual. Each of the people who use the service were supported by staff. No one person required any personal equipment to assist them. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 17 of 24 Staffing These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have safe and appropriate support as there are enough competent, qualified staff on duty at all times. They have confidence in the staff at the home because checks have been done to make sure that they are suitable. People’s needs are met and they are supported because staff get the right training, supervision and support they need from their managers. People are supported by an effective staff team who understand and do what is expected of them. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. A knowledgeable and trained staff group provide support to make sure that people live the way they choose to and are safe. Evidence: The information in the AQAA told us that all the required checks were made prior to employment. This was confirmed by the staff we spoke to and comments written in completed staff Have your say surveys.Training records were seen by us and evidenced that training was current. One comment made in the staff Have your say survey told us that the person would like to see more people accepted on courses. This was discussed as part of the inspection with the mananger. We were told that courses can have limited places, although the company continue to invest in staff training. The AQAA information told us that the turn over in staff had been low with seven staff leaving employment since the last key inspection. People who use the service are supported in their lifestyle by dedicated staff. Arrangements are made and transport is available for events and appointments where necessary. Our observations showed us that the people who use the service and staff had a very relaxed and positive interaction together. We were told by the people who use the service that, The staff are good they look after us. I go home and they collect me. From the personal staff records seen recruitment was robust all the relevant Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 18 of 24 Evidence: information was made available to us. There were sufficient staff on duty to ensure the safety and meet the needs of the people who use the service.There was a need to ensure that staff supervision was completed and recorded on a regular basis. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 19 of 24 Conduct and management of the home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have confidence in the care home because it is run and managed appropriately. People’s opinions are central to how the home develops and reviews their practice, as the home has appropriate ways of making sure they continue to get things right. The environment is safe for people and staff because health and safety practices are carried out. People get the right support from the care home because the manager runs it appropriately, with an open approach that makes them feel valued and respected. They are safeguarded because the home follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and makes sure staff understand the way things should be done. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People benefit from a well-organised service, which is operated by an experienced, committed manager and staff team. Evidence: We identified from the records provided that fire drills were not executed on a regular basis. This was discussed with the manager as was the need to review the contingency plans in the event of an emergency. The service operates in the best interest of the people who use the service. They are encouraged and supported to live and experience a full social life. We observed respect between the staff, people at the service and the manager. It was obvious from the contact by people during the inspection that the manager operated an open door policy. The registered care manager has been in the profession for over seventeen years, she had achieved a number of qualifications including the Registered Managers Award. Information recorded in the comprehensive detailed AQAA states that electrical equipment was serviced in line with the guidelines. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 20 of 24 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 21 of 24 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R Outstanding statutory requirements These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 22 of 24 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection: Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service. No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations 1 14 As part of the basic contract price options of a minimum seven day annual holidays should be part of the agreement where appropriate for the people who use the service. To ensure that the staff are aware of the medication procedures ensuring that medication is administered and recorded appropriately at all times for the safety of the people who use the service. For the staff to receive regular and recorded supervision to reflect Standard thirty-six To ensure and increase the safety of the people who use the service that fire drills are carried out on a more regular basis. To review services contingency plans to ensure the safety and well being of the people in the event of an emergency, and the possibility the service had to be evacuated. 2 20 3 4 36 42 5 42 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 23 of 24 Helpline: Telephone: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone: 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 24 of 24 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!