Byards Keep

The service is registered to support up to eight people, and eight people were using the service when we inspected. This is larger than current best practice guidance. The service was also secluded from the nearby residential area, and next door to another of the provider's services for people with a learning disability. However, the risk of these things having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the design of the building and staff who supported people to access and be a part of their local community.

Staff provided support in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures 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 autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence.

The environment had been adapted to meet people's needs. People had privacy and personal spaces which had been designed and decorated according to their preferences. There were communal spaces and outside areas for people to use and enjoy. Some areas of the service had been marked for renovation.

Although the service was secluded from the nearby residential area, people were supported to take part in activities, to access their wider community and to do the things they enjoyed.

Staff were kind and caring. They treated people with respect and supported them to maintain their dignity. People responded positively to staff and shared friendly and caring relationships with them.

People's needs had been thoroughly assessed and very detailed care plans and risk assessments guided staff on how best to support people. Staff showed a good understanding of people's needs. They had received regular training, supervisions and spot checks of their performance.

Medicines were managed safely; staff had been trained and their competency regularly checked to make sure people received their prescribed medicines. The registered manager had taken proactive steps to stop the overuse of medicines.

Detailed communication assessments guided staff on how best to share information in an accessible way.

Staff supported people to make day to day decisions and be in control of how they spent their time. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People attended regular appointments and annual health reviews. Staff worked with other professionals for advice, guidance and support.

There were systems in place to manage and respond to any complaints about the service. The registered manage completed thorough investigations into any or concerns and acted to improve the service. Regular audits helped to monitor the quality and safety of the service and drive improvements.