Amber Lodge - Lowestoft

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 home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 13 people. 12 people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size.

What life is like for people using this service:

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

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. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People who live at Amber Lodge have their needs met by sufficient numbers of suitably trained staff. People told us staff were nice to them and this confirmed our observations.

Medicines were managed and administered safely. Checks were carried out to ensure shortfalls could be identified promptly.

Care records were very personalised and reflected people's needs and individuality in sufficient detail, including the specific routines staff needed to follow. Risks to people were identified, monitored and managed.

People were supported to live full and active lives, taking part in clubs and meaningful activities aligned with their individual hobbies, interests and wishes.

People were offered a choice of meals which met their nutritional requirements and received appropriate support from staff with eating and drinking.

The quality assurance system in place to monitor the service provided to people was robust and capable of identifying areas for improvement. People made positive comments about the registered manager.

The service worked well with other organisations to ensure people had joined up care. People were supported to have input from external healthcare professionals in a timely way.

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