Adams House

Adams House has several adapted bungalows and individual apartments within a large house situated on a campus style service in Sutton in Ashfield. People living in the bungalows have their own room and access to a range of shared facilities. They can also use a range of facilities in the grounds of the service.

The service takes note of 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 is located on a campus style community and as such would not fit with current best practice guidance which suggests small local services, integrated with the community. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the use of individual buildings. Staff supporting people did not wear a uniform or any identifying clothing that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people, and people were supported to have access to local community facilities and services.

People were supported to build and maintain important personal relationships that mattered to them, with peers and relatives.

People were supported to be independent, their rights were respected and access to advocacy was available if required. Support was provided in a way that put the people and their preferences first. Information was readily available for people in the correct format for them, including easy read.

The environment was clean, and people chose colours and furniture for their own rooms and communal areas. During our inspection staff and relatives were helping re-decorate as several people were away on holiday with other staff members.

Medicines were managed well, safely administered and recorded accurately.

There were enough staff to support people and staff were always visible. Staff received support and a variety

of appropriate training to meet people's needs.

Individualised risk assessments were in place. Staff were confident they would raise concerns to safeguard people. Robust recruitment and selection procedures ensured suitable staff were employed.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were well supported to make informed choices and given the opportunity to make decisions about their care and support.

Appropriate healthcare professionals were included in people's care and support as and when this was needed. Staff supported people to maintain a healthy diet and, when required, follow a specialist diet.

People were supported to engage in activities they enjoyed, and we saw the service promoted people accessing local community facilities and supporting them to go on trips and holidays.

There were systems in place for communicating with staff, people and their relatives to ensure they were fully informed this was via team meetings, phone calls and emails. People had good links to the local community through regular access to local services.

Audits and monitoring systems were used effectively to manage the service and to make improvements as and when required.