Yew Tree House

We observed the lunchtime support at the service. The atmosphere was busy and friendly. During the morning people had been supported to access the community for activities and to attend appointments. People who remained at home were supported to engage in activities such as bingo and story reading. We met everyone living at the home, spoke with some people and observed the support offered by staff during lunch.

Staff understood people's needs and how to assist them to protect them from avoidable harm. Care plans and risk assessments were in place, which provided staff with guidance on how to meet people's needs and manage identified risks.

People were supported to receive their medicines safely and as prescribed.

The service had infection control processes and systems in place to reduce the risk of people contracting COVID-19. The home was clean and decorated in a homely style.

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.

Based on our review of safe and well-led, this service was able to demonstrate how they were currently meeting the underpinning principles of 'Right support, right care, right culture'.

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.

The provider had developed a model of care and an environment that maximised people's choice, control and independence. People's care was planned and delivered with their individualised needs in plans.

People were supported to access facilities in their local community such as carriage horse riding, trampolining and swinging.

The managers at the service and staff described their priority as delivering person centred care that met people's individual needs. Staff received autism and learning disabilities training.

We received very positive feedback from staff, relatives and professionals regarding the service and leadership in the home.

There was a robust quality assurance system in place to ensure people received the best possible service. The registered manager worked closely with the provider and partner agencies and services to promote best practice within the service and make a positive impact to people's lives.