SENSE - 58 Featherstone Road

We have 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, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. The service met the requirements of the ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance and promoted people’s rights, independence and equality

We carried out this inspection after a series of concerns were raised with us regarding safety and management at the location. At the time of our inspection there was no evidence the concerns raised were substantiated.

People experienced positive, person‑centred support. Relatives consistently told us staff knew their family members well, respected their individual needs and preferences and supported them to make day‑to‑day choices. Staff promoted people's dignity, independence and rights, and people had access to activities they enjoyed both at home and in the community. Relatives said communication was open and responsive and staff involved them appropriately in people’s care.

People were protected from avoidable harm, and staff understood how to recognise and respond to safeguarding risks. Risk assessments and communication passports helped staff support people safely, including when they moved between services. Staff were recruited safely, and people received their medicines as prescribed. The environment was clean and well maintained, and the provider responded proactively to updates and changes in guidance, for example, fire safety requirements. The service was compliant with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), and appropriate assessments, best‑interest decisions and applications for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) had been completed in line with legal requirements.

Staff recognised changes in people’s health and sought timely input from healthcare partners. Care plans were personalised and regularly reviewed. People were supported to express their preferences and plan for the future, including important decisions about end of life care. The service met the Accessible Information Standard, and staff ensured people received information in formats matched to their individual communication needs.

During this inspection we found improvements in leadership and governance, although further work was ongoing to embed these changes. Leaders had addressed cultural issues that had previously affected the service and had taken steps to rebuild a positive, values‑led environment. Staff and relatives told us morale and teamwork had improved, and staff felt more supported and confident. Governance systems were in place and were used to monitor quality, respond to feedback and maintain oversight of key risks. The manager was in the process of registering with the Commission, and the management team demonstrated insight into areas which requiring continued strengthening.