We inspected The Woodlands on 8 September 2016. The inspection was unannounced. At the last inspection on the01 July 2013 the service met all the standards in the areas we inspected.

The service is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to six people. People who used the service had a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were six people who used the service.

The service had a registered manager in post. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were kept safe because staff understood how to recognise possible signs of abuse and the actions they needed to take if people were at risk of harm. People’s risks were assessed in a way that kept them safe whilst promoting their independence.

We found that there were enough suitably trained staff available to meet people’s needs in a timely manner. The provider had safe recruitment procedures in place to keep people safe from harm.

People who used the service received their medicines safely. Systems were in place that ensured people were protected from risks associated with medicines management.

Staff had a good knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The MCA and the DoLS set out the requirements that ensure where appropriate decisions are made in people’s best interests where they are unable to do this for themselves. People’s capacity had been assessed and staff knew how to support people in a way that was in their best interests. We found that where people were able they consented to their care.

People were supported to maintain a healthy diet and were able to access sufficient amounts to eat and drink. People were supported to access health services and maintain their health and wellbeing.

People told us and we saw that staff were kind and compassionate. Staff treated people with respect, gave choices and listened to what people wanted. Staff were dedicated to ensuring that people’s dignity was respected both within the service and when people were supported outside of the service.

Staff had an excellent understanding of people’s preferences in care, which were recorded throughout the support plans. People were supported to be as independent as possible and were involved in hobbies and interests that were important to them.

People had been involved in all aspects of the planning and review of their care and set their own goals, which had been completed with support and encouragement from staff.

The provider had a complaints procedure that was available to people in a format that they understood and people knew how to complain if they needed to.

Staff told us that the registered manager was approachable and led the team well. Staff and the registered manager were enthusiastic about their role and what their support meant for people.

People, relatives and staff were encouraged to provide feedback on the service provided. The registered manager had systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service provided.

We saw that the provider had effective systems in place to seek the consent of people who used the service and where a person lacked capacity decisions had been made in their best interests.

People told us that they were happy with the care they received and that staff were caring and respected their wishes. We observed staff treating people in a caring and compassionate manner and responded to their needs. One person told us, “I am very happy here and the staff are all very helpful”. Another person told us, “All the staff listen to what I say and they can’t do enough for me”.

The provider had systems in place for the safe management of medicines. Where the provider had identified an area of concern this had been acted upon to ensure improvements were made.

The provider had arrangements in place to support staff to carry out their role. Staff told us that they received formal supervision and felt supported by their manager.

We saw that records were stored safely and securely. Care records we viewed were accurate and contained up to date details of people’s support needs.

People were involved in making decisions about their care. People told us they had discussions about their care and made choices about the things they wanted to do and about their future plans. One person told us "I talk with staff and I have goals to achieve".

People living at the home were having their health and personal care needs met. People confirmed that they attended for health care appointments and went to the dentist and to the optician. Staff provided people with support to maintain and develop their independent living skills.

People were being kept safe and the care staff were aware of their responsibilities to act on any issues that affected people's welfare. The manager was aware of how to respond to any safeguarding concerns.

People said they got on well with the staff. A social care professional we spoke with said that staff were very professional and provided people with good support. Care staff had the training and support to provide people with the care they needed in the way they wanted.

The provider had systems in place to monitor and check the quality of the service. People that lived at the home had regular meetings where they could express their views about the service. People knew how to make a complaint and the manager made sure these were acted upon.

We completed this review because we had not visited for some time and we did not have any recent information about the service.

We spoke to four of the people living there. People said that they were happy with living at the service. We saw that there was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Comments from people living there included, "The staff are OK", "I would recommend it, the staff have helped me to manage my behaviour", and "I choose what I eat".

People were supported to have their health needs met. People said they saw the doctor and had eye and dental checks. Most people could look after their own personal care. People told us that they went to a hairdresser in the nearby high street.

Staff encouraged people to be involved in running the home. Meetings were held to discuss what people wanted to eat and to talk about activities and doing the household tasks. People told us they helped to do the food shopping, did their laundry and helped to keep their bedroom clean.

People chose the activities they wanted to do. Some people went to college and everyone went out to buy personal items. Some people attended a social club. One person told us that they had music lessons and were involved in a drama group.