Edgar Street Residential Home

We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choice, independence, and access to local communities that most people take for granted. The assessment was announced to ensure people would be present at the home when we visited.

At our last inspection we rated this service as good. At this inspection the service has been rated outstanding.

The provider and management team were committed to providing care and support of an exceptionally high standard, with a clear and consistent focus on achieving positive, meaningful outcomes for people. The culture across the home was open, inclusive and strongly person-centred. Leaders and staff demonstrated a shared commitment to improving people’s quality of life, promoting independence, and enabling people to achieve outcomes that were important to them.

People were supported by a core staff group, that were well trained and highly motivated. Staff knew people well and had a well-developed understanding of people’s needs, preferences and communication styles. This continuity of care enabled staff to build strong, trusting relationships with people and respond to their needs in a proactive and personalised way. Care and support were delivered with kindness, empathy and respect, and there was a strong emphasis on promoting dignity, choice and control in all aspects of daily living.

The provider demonstrated an outstanding commitment to person-centred care. Assessments and care plans were comprehensive, regularly reviewed and reflective of people’s life histories, strengths, aspirations and goals. Staff were encouraged to think creatively and remove barriers, enabling people to take part in activities and experiences that enhanced their wellbeing and independence. This approach resulted in significant and sustained improvements in people’s confidence, social inclusion and ability to lead fulfilling lives.

There was a strong focus on positive risk-taking, with people supported to achieve their goals in a safe and structured way. Risks were managed holistically, with clear guidance in place to support staff to respond to people’s needs while maintaining their rights and independence. The service actively avoided restrictive practices, instead using proactive and preventative approaches to support people effectively.

Leadership across the service was highly effective, visible and inclusive. Leaders demonstrated a strong understanding of best practice and were committed to continuous improvement, innovation and partnership working. They actively engaged with external professionals, contributed to sector-wide initiatives and used learning to enhance the quality of care provided. Governance systems were robust and used effectively to monitor performance, manage risks and drive improvement.