The inspection took place on 9 October 2018 and was announced. Wynford House is a large detached house that provides care for up to eleven people who live with a learning disability and/or other complex needs. It is situated near to Seaford town centre and at the time of our inspection, there were eleven people living at the home.

Wynford House is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

At our last inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

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At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People were supported to have their medicines safely. Risks were assessed and plans were in place to manage identified risks. The provider had robust recruitment procedures and there were enough suitable staff to care for people safely.

Staff had received the training and support they needed. People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were having enough to eat and drink and they were supported to choose and prepare their food. Staff supported people to have access to health care services when they needed to.

People had developed positive relationships with staff. They told us, and we observed, that they were happy and comfortable with staff. One relative told us that they knew their relation was happy living at the home because, “They are always smiling and relaxed.” Staff knew the people they were supporting well and spoke about them with affection and respect. People were encouraged to be as independent at possible and their dignity and privacy were protected.

People were supported in a person centred way. Their care records were holistic and reflected their needs and preferences. People were living full and busy lives and were able to access the local community regularly. Wynford House has been operated and developed 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 this service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen

Complaints were recorded and resolved effectively. People were supported to plan for care at the end of their lives.

Systems and processes supported good governance and management at the home. Quality assurance systems were used to drive improvements. People and their relatives spoke highly of the staff and the management of the home. Staff described positive working relationships with other agencies and described an open culture where their views and ideas were welcomed.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The inspection took place on 16 March 2016 and was announced.

Wynford House is a large detached house that provides care for up to eleven people who live with a learning disability and/or other complex needs. It is situated near to Seaford town centre and At the time of our inspection, there were eleven people living at the home. All bedrooms are single occupancy, and equipped with ensuite facilities six were fitted out as wet rooms. People have access to the kitchen and laundry room beyond, a sitting room and a dining room. The property is surrounded by gardens which are accessible to people.

This is the first inspection since the service was registered in December 2014. Wynford House is unique in that three homes were closed and all the people were moved into one location.

There was 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were protected from harm by trained staff who knew how to keep people safe and what action to take if they suspected abuse was happening. Potential risks to people had been identified and assessed appropriately. When accidents or incidents occurred, risk assessments were updated as needed. There were sufficient numbers of staff to support people and safe recruitment practices were followed. Medicines were managed safely.

Staff had received all essential training and there were opportunities for them to study for additional qualifications. All staff training was up-to-date. Regular supervision meetings were organised and the senior support worker was in the process of planning supervisions with staff as well as annual appraisals. Team meetings were held and staff had regular communication with each other at handover meetings which took place between each shift. Consent to care and treatment was sought in line with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The registered manager had sought authorisation for people under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards legislation. People were supported to have sufficient to eat and drink and to maintain a healthy diet. They had access to healthcare professionals. People’s rooms were decorated in line with their personal preferences.

Staff knew people well and positive, caring relationships had been developed. People were encouraged to express their views and these were communicated to staff in a variety of ways, verbally, through physical gestures or body language. People were involved in decisions about their care as much as they were able. Their privacy and dignity were respected and promoted. Staff understood how to care for people in a sensitive way.

Care plans provided comprehensive information about people in a person-centred way. People’s personal histories had been recorded and their preferences, likes and dislikes were documented so that staff knew how people wished to be supported. Staffing levels were dependent on peoples activities and plans. Some people went to specific social meetings, during the day and there was a variety of activities and outings on offer which people could choose to do. Complaints were dealt with in line with the provider’s policy, but there had been no formal complaints logged in the previous year.

People could express their views and discuss any issues or concerns with their keyworker, who co-ordinated all aspects of their care. The provider organised surveys for clients, relatives and stakeholders. The culture of the service was homely and family-orientated. Regular audits measured the quality of the care and service provided.