Enter and View Report: Samuel Close 2
The purpose of our visit
We’re carrying out a series of visits to learning disability care homes, supported living, and respite facilities in Greenwich to understand the quality of life, and views of those using the service and the experience and perceptions of relatives and carers.
The Health and Social Care Act 2012 allows local Healthwatch authorised representatives to observe service delivery at providers across a range of health and social care services such as hospitals, GPs, and care homes.
Enter and View visits can happen if people tell us there is a problem with a service. They can also occur when services have a good reputation, so we can learn about and share examples of good practice from the perspective of people who experience the service first hand.
Through the programme we help providers to identify what is working well with services and where they could be improved.
How does it work?
Our trained staff and volunteers visit a Greenwich health and social care service. We then spend time at the location, talking both to people receiving care and those providing it.
After our visit, we analyse all the feedback that we have collected and write a report which is published on our website. We share our reports with the organisations involved, the local commissioner, the CQC, and with Healthwatch England.
To protect the safety of service users and staff, we conduct risk assessments and DBS check all our staff and volunteers.
Executive summary
Samuel Close 2 is a one story purpose-built care home located in a quiet area near Woolwich Dockyard Railway Station. Its location offers residents a quiet environment while still being conveniently close to major transport links. The home is one of three managed by the same provider, allowing residents to visit each other and enjoy shared activities. The property has a nice garden that residents are encouraged to use during the summer months. Even though residents at Samuel Close 2 have varying levels of ability, staff ensure everyone stays active and involved in a wide range of activities, including outings, cooking, and sing-along sessions. Families are updated through regular emails, phone calls, and an annual review process.
Recommendations
- Establish a regular method for group communication and feedback with families, such as a newsletter or group meetings.
- Enforce policy requiring all visitors to sign the visitor's logbook upon entry.
- Review staff training to include the importance of maintaining accurate visitor logs and ID verification.
- Place clear signage in the reception area reminding visitors to sign the visitor’s logbook.
- Include information on how to lodge a complaint directly with the Care Quality Commission or the local authority in the reception area.
