Respite Breaks - Epwell rd.

People stay in single bedrooms and there are shared areas including the dining and lounge areas, conservatory and garden.

Systems were in place to keep people safe from risk of avoidable harm and abuse. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to keep people safe from abuse. Risks had been appropriately assessed with enough staff members on duty to support people safely. People's medicines were managed safely and the home environment was clean and hygienic. There were processes in place to investigate any incidents to reduce risk of reoccurrences.

A detailed pre-assessment was completed before people started with the service. There was a phased admissions process in place for people to meet the staff, help familiarise themselves with the layout and home environment. A relative told us, "We went for visits so [person] would get used to going there and they stayed for a few hours. The phasing is absolutely fantastic and quite comforting for [person]." People were supported by trained staff who were knowledgeable about people's individual needs. Staff encouraged people to try healthy food options and supported them to make their own decisions. Staff used a variety of communication techniques to ensure they sought people's consent and help them make their own decisions throughout the day.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Relatives told us their family members were supported by kind and caring staff who knew people well. People's individual needs were respected and staff supported people with dignity and respect. Relatives told us they were involved in the planning of their family's member's care and support.

The registered manager carried out audits of the service to monitor and review the quality of the care provided to people. Competency checks were completed to monitor staff practice to ensure they were working to current best practice. The registered manager and staff worked in partnership with people, relatives and where it was appropriate health and social care professionals, to ensure people's support needs were being met.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture.

Right support The model of care and the accommodation maximised people's choice and control, independence. The environment was spacious and homely. From the outside, it did not give the impression of being a care home. People were encouraged to bring in their own belongings to personalise their bedroom. People had their own bedrooms and bathrooms and encouraged by staff to develop their independence as much as practicably possible.

Right care Care is person-centred and promotes people's dignity, privacy and human rights. People were supported by staff that knew them well and understood their needs. Staff told us about the relationships they had built up with people which had increased people's confidence and enabled them to provide the appropriate support to people even when they were anxious or upset.

Right culture There was a positive, person-centred culture amongst the staff team. The registered manager and staff members worked in partnership with people and their relatives. There was a culture of listening to people, their relatives and working in people's best interest. One relative told us, "It's really important and I want other parents to know that my child is so happy (at Epwell Road) and you will feel comfortable (about the service)."