Southview

Southview is registered to provide accommodation with personal care for up to six adults. Southview is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

It is also registered to provide personal care in people's own homes, such as for domiciliary care and supported living. The service is intended for people who have a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection there were six people living within Southview and 15 people were receiving a service within their own homes. The times of visits ranged from 30 minutes, up to four times per day to 24 hours per day.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

Staff were highly skilled and had a natural aptitude to give reassurance and comfort. They treated people with the utmost dignity and respect when helping them with daily living tasks.

People received exceptionally personalised care and support specific to their needs and preferences. There was an excellent understanding of seeing each person as an individual, with their own social needs.

The service strived to provide people and those that matter to them with rich and fulfilled lives. They had actively sourced new opportunities for people to connect with the world and with others. An innovative community project introduced since the last inspection was arranging for people to attend Exeter prison gym. Lots of work was undertaken to make this connection.

People were supported to have a peaceful, comfortable and dignified end of life care in line with national best practice guidance.

The provider was forward thinking. They provided strong leadership; was a good role model for all staff and drove up excellent practice to provide people with opportunities. They had established a service where staff were clear about the values and ethos of the service. It had a positive culture that was person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering. Staff were supported to reach their true potential.

Relatives, professionals and staff described the service in outstanding terms. A relative commented: "My sister spent many happy years at Southview. Southview was everything we could have wished for, happy,

supportive, professional staff and management. A happy home. I would not only recommend Southview I would say it should be held up as a beacon of excellence."

People felt safe and staff demonstrated a good understanding of what constituted abuse and how to report if concerns were raised. Measures to manage risk were as least restrictive as possible to protect people's freedom. People's rights were protected because the service followed the appropriate legal processes. Medicines were safely managed on people's behalf.

There were effective staff recruitment and selection processes in place. Staffing arrangements were flexible in order to meet people's individual needs. Staff received a range of training and regular support to keep their skills up to date in order to support people appropriately.

The provider strived to provide the best possible service for people. A number of effective methods were used to assess the quality and safety of the service people received and changes and improvements were made in response.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found