An Darach House

We 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.

Medicines were generally managed safely, some areas for learning and improvement in relation to records were identified by inspectors. The registered manager took immediate action to address these.

People received safe, person-centred care from a skilled and knowledgeable staff team who understood their needs well. Risks were managed effectively while promoting independence, choice and community involvement. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and worked proactively to keep people safe. The environment was accessible, well maintained and personalised. Staffing arrangements ensured people received consistent support from staff who knew them well.

People's needs were assessed in detail and care was delivered in line with good practice. Staff worked effectively with healthcare professionals and internal teams to achieve positive outcomes for people. People were supported to attend healthcare appointments and pursue personal goals. Care plans were comprehensive and provided clear guidance to staff, although there were opportunities to strengthen some documentation through the use of more positive and person-centred language in places.

Staff were observed to be kind, caring and respectful. People appeared comfortable and relaxed with staff and were supported to make choices about their daily lives. People and relatives felt listened to and involved in decisions about their care and support.

The service was responsive to people's changing needs and provided information in accessible formats to support understanding and involvement. People were supported to access their local community, maintain relationships and plan for their future wishes and aspirations. Care was reviewed regularly to ensure it remained relevant and person centred.

The service was well led, with a positive and inclusive culture promoted by an approachable and supportive registered manager. Effective governance systems provided oversight of quality and safety. Feedback from people, relatives, staff and professionals was positive. The service was well-managed and achieved good outcomes for people showing a commitment to ongoing learning and improvement.