Archived: The Willows

Updated 27 September 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This focused inspection took place on 31 August 2016 and was unannounced. This inspection was carried out to look into concerns we had received. The service was inspected against two of the five questions we ask about services: is the service safe and effective. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed previous inspection reports and other information we held about the home including any notifications. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

We met with one person who lived at the service and observed their interactions with staff. We spoke with the divisional manager, and a care worker. We looked round the premises and outside of the building.

We looked at staff rotas and other documents relating to staffing levels.

Updated 27 September 2016

We inspected The Willows on 22 September 2015, the inspection was unannounced. The service was last inspected in May 2013, we had no concerns at that time.

The Willows provides care and accommodation for up to three people who have autistic spectrum disorders. At the time of the inspection two people were living at the service. There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Changes to the building were being planned which would result in people having their own self- contained flats. This was viewed by all as a positive development which would help people develop their independence. However staff and relatives told us the planned changes had been put back several times and the environment and furnishings were beginning to look tired. One person said; “I know it’s only aesthetics but you want a certain standard maintained.” We have made a recommendation about maintaining the environment in the report.

Relatives told us they believed their family member was safe living at The Willows. They said if they had any concerns they would raise them directly with the registered manager who they found to be approachable.

Everyone considered the small size of the service and staff team to be an advantage. Staff told us they were a strong team who worked together well and were consistent in their approach to supporting people. Staff demonstrated a shared commitment to supporting people to access the local community and take part in a range of activities they enjoyed. One staff member commented; “They go out in the community and take part in the community. We try to get them to be more independent and enjoy themselves and they do!”

Staff knew people well and demonstrated a fondness and respect for them while talking with us. They spoke about people positively and emphasised their abilities and talents. We found they had a good knowledge of people’s routines and what was important to them.

People were involved as much as possible in the care planning process. Where people were assessed as not having capacity to make specific decisions best interest meetings were held involving families and other healthcare professionals. Applications to deprive people of their liberty in order to keep them safe had been made where appropriate.

Quality assurance systems were in place to help ensure the service was safe and any problems quickly identified and acted upon.