St Anne's Community Services - Queensway

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. The size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

Staff received appropriate training. A plan was in place to ensure training was kept up to date. Staff were supported and felt supported by the management team. Staff received supervision. People's needs were assessed, and outcomes recorded. People were offered a choice of food and drink. The service worked with other health care professionals.

We observed some kind and caring interactions throughout the day between staff and people using the service. Relatives told us staff were kind and caring. People were supported to have choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems at the service supported this practice. Relatives told us staff treated people with dignity and respect, they were involved with the planning of their relative's care and their views were listened to.

Some people's end of life wishes had been explored and documented. There was a complaints procedure and people knew how to complain. Peoples likes, and dislikes were recorded in their care plan and staff knew people and their preferences well. People's communication needs were in their plans. People had a good range of activities in place and people were happy with what was on offer.

People spoke highly of the manager who they said was approachable and supportive. The registered manager understood the regulatory requirements. People told us they thought the service was well led.

The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.

As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people.

The service used some restrictive intervention practices as a last resort, in a person-centred way, in line with positive behaviour support principles.