Cambian Asperger Syndrome Services Limited - 14 Southwood Avenue

The service is situated in the Southbourne area of Bournemouth. The premises comprised of a three-story house with 7 bedrooms all with en-suite facilities and communal living areas. These included a kitchen/diner a separate lounge and one room referred to as a chill out room. The garden provided areas for both recreation and seating for people to use as they wish.

Staff had an excellent understanding of people's individual needs relating to their protected characteristics and their values and beliefs. Staff had been extremely responsive to the individual needs of the people living at the home creating excellent positive outcomes for people. One person told us, "It's the best thing I've ever done (coming here) I am being supported to be myself."

Staff had supported people to be as independent as possible. Positive risk assessments had been completed with people to manage any risks incurred by taking further steps towards independence. People were supported to manage their own medicines and medicines were managed safely. One relative told us, "[person] has already progressed over and above our expectations since they moved in."

There were enough staff to support people. This included supporting people on a 1:1 basis if required. People told us they felt safe. Staff had access to personal protective equipment (PPE), and the service had a robust infection prevention and control process in place. Lessons were learned from incidents and learning was shared with all staff to prevent re-occurrence.

Staff had assessed people's needs before they moved in to the home. Individualised person-centred care plans had been created with people, and in consultation with people who were important to them. People were supported to eat a balanced healthy diet and could access food and drinks whenever they wanted. The service worked well with other organisations and supported people to access healthcare when required.

We could not distinguish staff from people when we arrived due to the friendly, comfortable and relaxed atmosphere of the home. People were treated as equals with dignity and respect by staff who knew them well. People told us staff were very kind and caring.

People, relatives, healthcare professionals and staff spoke positively about the registered manager and the assistant house manager. We received comments such as, "they do an amazing job", "they are open and listen" and, "they are professional, discreet and great."

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. 'Right support, right care, right culture' is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

Right Support: Staff supported people to have the maximum possible choice, control and independence be independent and they had control over their own lives. Staff focused on people's strengths and promoted what they could do, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life. People were supported by staff to pursue their interests. Staff supported people to achieve their aspirations and goals. 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.

Right Care: People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people's privacy and dignity. They understood and responded to their individual needs. Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. The service worked well with other agencies to do so. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it. The service had enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe. People could communicate with staff and understand information given to them because staff supported them consistently and understood their individual communication needs.

Right Culture: People led inclusive and empowered lives because of the ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the management and staff. People received good quality care, support and treatment because trained staff and specialists could meet their needs and wishes. People were supported by staff who understood best practice in relation to the wide range of strengths, impairments or sensitivities people with a learning disability and/or autistic people may have. This meant people received compassionate and empowering care that was tailored to their needs. Staff knew and understood people well and were responsive, supporting their aspirations to live a quality life of their choosing.