Rivers

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 registered for the support of up to 6 people; and the building design was similar to neighbouring large domestic homes. There were deliberately no identifying signs 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.

People received support to meet their assessed personal care and development needs; from staff who were well trained and supported by the provider. People were involved in choosing and cooking food they liked, and meal times were social occasions. The care home environment met people's housing needs; and the staff team linked with external agencies to ensure people received the care and health support they needed.

People were kept safe by the provider's procedures and by staff who understood how to protect people from potential abuse. Risks were assessed, and action taken to reduce them when necessary. Staff had background checks carried out when they were recruited, so the provider could be assured of their suitability to support vulnerable people. Medicines were safely managed, and the care home was clean and homely. When incidents happened, the registered manager reviewed them and identified any lessons that could be learned to reduce the chance of recurrence.

Staff supported people with kindness and respect; and people told us they liked the staff. People were involved in making decisions about how their care was provided, and the team supported people to raise issues about things they were unhappy about. Privacy and dignity was respected at all times.

People's support was individualised, and they had access to varied activities of their choice. People's communication needs were met by staff who took the time to explain things to them. Important family links were supported and maintained, and the service had received no formal complaints since the previous inspection.

The service had a positive atmosphere and people were supported to achieve their longer-term goals through a series of planned smaller steps. The registered manager understood how to deal with incidents in an open and transparent way and ensured the necessary notifications to other agencies had been made. The support team understood their roles and were committed to providing a high-quality service for people. The registered manager was linked into other agencies and forums, so they could keep up to date and continue to learn about how services can continue to improve.

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.