The Old Rectory

People's experience of using this service: The Old Rectory provided people with a homely, happy and friendly environment. People were supported by staff that were caring and compassionate. People were treated with dignity and respect and in a way that was free from discrimination. People were encouraged to make their own decisions and staff understood how people communicated their choices.

People received a personalised service from friendly, supportive staff. People liked the staff and enjoyed being with them. Staff knew people's needs and preferences well. Relatives spoke highly of the staff team and the registered manager and said they made sure people had enjoyable experiences and a happy and varied social life.

People were relaxed around staff and relatives said the service was safe. Staff demonstrated an awareness of each person's safety and how to minimise risks for them. People's concerns were listened and responded to. Accidents and incidents were used as opportunities to learn and improve the service.

People were supported by staff with the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Staff had regular training and felt confident in their role. They worked in partnership with local health and social care professionals to keep people healthy.

The service was well led. People, relatives and professionals said the registered manager and business manager were approachable, organised, and acted on feedback. Quality monitoring systems included audits, observation of staff practice and regular checks of the environment with continuous improvements in response to findings.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

The service was a large domestic style property. It is registered for up to 15 people. Although this is larger than current best practice guidance for learning disability services, any potential negative impact on people was mitigated because people lived in smaller groups together, within four separate units. The outcomes for

people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. Ongoing efforts were being made to find new opportunities for several younger people to undertake stretching and interesting work, towards gaining new skills and increased confidence.

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

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk