SeeAbility - The Willows

We assessed the service against the Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture guidance to determine whether people with a learning disability and autistic people were supported to live with dignity, equality, choice, independence and access to everyday community life. We found the provider was meeting these principles although there were occasional instances where improved communication was needed.

There was a welcoming atmosphere at the service and in the majority of instances staff treated people with warmth and compassion. However, we noted some occasions where staff did not communicate with people appropriately prior to supporting them. The registered manager took action to ensure this was promptly addressed.

Risks to people’s safety were known to staff and were in place to ensure people’s health, nutrition and hydration were monitored and any concerns addressed. People received their medicines in line with their prescriptions and regular audits of medicines processes were completed.

Staff, relatives and professionals told us the service had improved since the registered manager had been in post. They described a positive, open and transparent culture which focussed on people having increased opportunities. Systems to review the quality of the service focussed on people’s quality of life in addition to records and processes.

The management team were present in the home and knew people, relatives and staff well. Staff felt supported in their roles and received appropriate training to enable them to provide effective support to people. Improvements had been made in the way staff were recruited, and relevant checks were completed to ensure staff employed were safe to support people. Systems were in place to monitor the safety of the building and equipment.