Woofferton Residential Care Home

People’s risks were not always assessed effectively. Monitoring of clinical risks was not always sufficient to ensure concerns would be escalated. Mental capacity assessments were not always completed when needed which meant the provider could not be assured people were not being restricted. Staff knowledge around safeguarding required some improvement but staff were clear they would escalate safeguarding concerns to the registered manager to maintain their safety. Safeguarding referrals had not always been made when needed although immediate steps had been taken to keep people safe. Where medicines had not been administered as prescribed, medical input had not been sought to ensure this was safe for people. Accidents and incidents were recorded but there was little trend analysis which meant the provider could not be assured they always took action to reduce the risk of reoccurrence. Although people told us there were enough staff, staffing levels were not always sufficient to ensure people’s needs could be met safely during the afternoon and evenings.

People told us they felt safe living in the home with the staff who supported them. Relatives told us people were safe at the home and staff were knowledgeable and kind to them. Staff knew people well and had built a positive rapport with people. Medicines were stored safely and medicines stock counts were accurate. People and relatives told us the home environment was safe. People told us staff were knowledgeable and we observed staff treating people with warmth and compassion.

Systems in place to check the quality of the service were not always effective. Quality checks were often informal and did not always identify discrepancies or concerns which meant action was not always taken to address them. For example, where risk assessments weren't in place, where information in care plans was inconsistent, where mental capacity assessments had not been completed and where professional input had not been sought when changes were made to medicines administration. Staffing allocation was not always sufficient to ensure people's needs were met safely.

Staff told us the registered manager was approachable and supportive. Relatives told us the registered manager was approachable and communicated well with them. The registered manager supported staff to undertake additional qualifications to upskill themselves. Staff told us there was a positive culture in the home and we observed positive relationships between the registered manager, staff and people living at the home.