Willow House

Willow House is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Willow House provides care and support for a maximum of six people who are living with a learning disability, autism or mental health conditions. There were six people living at the home at the time of the inspection.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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.

People were supported for by staff who were trained in recognising and understanding how to report potential abuse. Staff knew how to raise any concerns about people's safety and shared information so that people's safety needs were met.

People were protected from risks associated with their health and care needs because risk assessments and associated care plans were developed, reviewed and monitored. This ensured that people received the support they required to remain safe. Staff were aware of the risks to people when supporting them in and outside of the home in order to promote people's safety in the community.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who had the knowledge and skills they required to care for people safely and effectively. People's dignity was maintained and people were communicated with in their preferred way.

Staff understood the importance of ensuring people agreed to the care and support they provided and when to involve others to help people make important decisions. The provider was aware of their responsibilities in regard to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People were supported to enjoy a wide range of activities and were involved in their day to day care and chose how to spend their day. People were encouraged to maintain their independence and live active and fulfilling lives and were supported to meet religious and cultural needs.

Staff were caring and treated people with respect. We saw people were relaxed around the staff supporting them. It was evident that people had developed positive relationships with staff and there was a friendly and calm atmosphere within the home.

People received support from staff to take their prescribed medicines as and when required. Systems and processes were in place to ensure medicines were managed safely. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to infection control and promoting a hygienic environment for people to live in.

People were supported to maintain a healthy diet that met people's cultural and dietary needs. People were supported to maintain all their health needs.

Systems and processes were in place to monitor the safety and quality of the service. Staff and relatives told us the home was well managed and the registered manager was supportive.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found