This unannounced inspection took place on the 11 and 13 October 2017. Southwood House provides care for up to 14 people with physical disabilities and at the time of our inspection 11 people were living at the home

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

Risks to people had not always been recognised and assessed, and historic risks to people had not always been identified in people’s care plans. Accidents and incidents had not always been recorded and investigated appropriately.

There was enough staff to meet people’s basic care needs; however people told us that social opportunities were limited and restricted.

Peoples concerns were not always recorded as complaints. These concerns had not been investigated and people continued to have the same concerns and felt that they were not being listened to.

The staff team did not always feel supported by the management team. The feedback we received suggested that the manager was overloaded with tasks and did not have time to complete all of the roles effectively. However, a new deputy manager had been appointed and had commenced their role on the day we inspected and staff thought this support was going to make a positive difference.

Most people told us they were treated with dignity and respect; however we also saw and were given examples of occasions where outcomes for people were not as good as they could have been.

People's health and well-being was monitored by staff and they were supported to access health professionals; however we saw that on one occasion this did not happen in a timely manner. People were supported to have sufficient amounts to eat and drink to maintain a balanced diet.

Staff received the training they required to meet the needs of the people they were caring for and the induction process for new staff was comprehensive.

Care plans contained information about peoples assessed needs and their preferences, however they required completing in more detail to enable care staff to offer a more person centred approach.

There were safe systems in place for the management of medicines; however some documents relating to medicines required updating.

All staff knew their responsibilities as defined by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA 2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and had applied that knowledge appropriately.

Staff understood the importance of obtaining people’s consent when supporting them with their daily living needs.

We found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.

The inspection took place on 28 January 2016 and was unannounced.

Southwood House provides accommodation and personal care for up to 14 people with physical and learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection, the service was providing support to 13 people.

The service had a registered manager. 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 felt safe. Staff had an understanding of abuse and the safeguarding procedures that should be followed to report abuse and people had risk assessments in place to enable them to be as independent as possible.

Effective recruitment processes were in place and followed by the service and there were sufficient numbers of staff available to meet people’s care and support needs

Medicines were stored, handled and administered safely within the service.

Staff members had induction training when joining the service, as well as regular ongoing training.

Staff were well supported by the registered manager and had regular one to one supervisions.

People’s consent was gained before any care was provided and the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were met.

People were able to choose the food and drink they wanted and staff supported people with this.

People were supported to access health appointments when necessary.

Staff supported people in a caring manner. They knew the people they were supporting well and understood their requirements for care.

People were involved in their own care planning and were able to contribute to the way in which they were supported.

People’s privacy and dignity was maintained at all times.

People were encouraged to take part in a range of activities and social interests of their choice.

The service had a complaints procedure in place and people knew how to use it.

Quality monitoring systems and processes were used effectively to drive future improvement and identify where action was needed