Lifeways Community Care (South Shields)

People received kind and compassionate care from staff. Relatives and professionals we spoke with were very complimentary regarding the level of support people received. Staff supported people to live with as much dignity as possible and staff were mindful to ensure people were supported to be as independent as they could be.

People received person-centred care and staff were very positive about the care people now received. People were involved in the daily planning of their lives which included what activities they wanted to do, what they wanted to eat, and what time they got up and went to bed. Complaints were investigated and actioned in line with the provider's complaints policy. People were supported to maintain contact with their relatives. Staff knew how to communicate with each person and people had access to a range of 'tools' to support people with their communication.

The registered manager and all members of staff had worked very hard to change the previous culture and practice within the service. Staff told us they loved coming to work now as the changes and the improvements made the service so much better for the people living there. The registered manager completed various audits to monitor the quality of the service and care provided. Staff told us they felt valued and listened to. Staff now felt the service was back to where it belonged, and that was for the 'lads' living there as it was their home.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.The model of care and support provided to people living at the service maximised

their choice, control and independence. People were involved in all aspects of their care and future planning. Care provided at the service was centred around the person and promoted people's dignity, privacy and human rights.The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the management team and staff ensured people lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.