SignHealth Bowfell Road

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

The service promoted people's involvement in their care and support through visual communication methods and innovative role playing to help people to make choices and decisions. Visual care plans were developed with people choosing the pictures or photographs to be used.

An independent advocate visited the service at least every three months to discuss any issues and support people to express their views.

Care staff were positive role models for people. All staff were fluent in British Sign Language (BSL). BSL interpreters were booked so people and staff could be fully engaged in any appointments.

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.

The home was fully adapted, with visual fire alarms and door bells. Visual information was used throughout the service to provide people with information.

People and relatives were very positive about the staff team at Signhealth. People were relaxed and comfortable with staff. The staff knew people and their support needs exceptionally well. People were supported to participate in a wide range of activities and to increase their independence at home and in their wider community.

People's health and nutrition needs were being met by the service. People received their medicines as prescribed.

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.

The staff team said they enjoyed working at Signhealth, were well supported by the management team. They were very positive about the training and presenting what they had learnt to the rest of the staff team so that everyone benefitted from the courses they had completed.

The management team had a robust quality assurance system to monitor and improve the service. There was an open culture, with involvement from people and staff in the running of the service.