Willow Court

This report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides an overview of the Willow Court care home following an inspection in September 2022. The inspection focused on key areas to ensure the safety and quality of care provided to residents, particularly those with learning disabilities and autism. The report details the findings across five critical domains, assessing how well the service protects its residents, delivers effective care, treats individuals with compassion, responds to their needs, and operates under strong leadership. Overall, the inspection aimed to provide assurance that Willow Court is meeting regulatory standards and providing a good environment for its residents.

On safety, the home has made significant improvements, with residents reporting feeling safe and well-understood by staff. Robust health and safety checks are in place, including fire safety measures, though a recommendation was made for night staff to participate in fire drills under reduced staffing conditions to better simulate real emergencies. The service operates within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, ensuring that any restrictions on liberty are in people's best interests and legally authorised. Sufficiently skilled staff are available, and recruitment processes ensure suitability for working with vulnerable adults. Medicines are managed and stored safely, and infection control measures are robust, assuring the safety of residents, visitors, and staff.

Regarding effectiveness, care and support plans are tailored to individual needs, and staff possess the necessary training and skills to protect residents from harm. The home has enough appropriately skilled staff to meet residents' needs, with arrangements for additional staffing when required. Recruitment processes include essential checks to ensure staff suitability. People's medicines are managed safely, with appropriate training, storage, and record-keeping in place.

In terms of caring, residents and their relatives expressed satisfaction with the care provided, with many feeling safe and well-understood by the staff. Staff were noted to communicate well with residents, taking time to respond and using communication methods that suited their preferences, aided by additional training in areas like positive behaviour support. Residents are encouraged to pursue their interests and share their views.

The service is responsive to the needs of its residents. People are supported to have maximum choice and control over their lives, with staff acting in their best interests and employing the least restrictive approach possible. The environment is safe and clean, with necessary adaptations made to suit residents' needs. Residents can personalise their living spaces and make choices about their lives.

On the aspect of being well-led, the service has transitioned to good leadership, with an interim manager in place while a new manager was recruited. Staff feel supported and work collaboratively, fostering a positive team culture. Systems are in place for regular quality monitoring and evaluation, addressing previous concerns about oversight. The management team is open and honest when things go wrong, fulfilling their duty of candour, and feedback from staff and relatives is encouraged. Proactive engagement with external professionals also supports continuous improvement.