Middleton

People's experience of the service and what we found: 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 assessment and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

Right Support Improvements were needed to ensure people's prescribed medicines were managed and administered safely. People were cared for in a way they wanted and needed. Care records needed updating. A new systems was being introduced to help address this. Staff had received relevant training to help support people in a safe and effective way. Sufficient numbers of staff were now provided so people had access to the support they needed, enabling them to maintain their independence. People were able to receive visitors without restrictions in line with best practice guidance. A good standard of accommodation was provided. Plans were in place to further enhance areas of the home.

Right Care People were safeguarded from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns. Risks were assessed and planned for. Any accidents or incidents were reviewed and reflected upon to help learn and improve the service. 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. People maintained relationships and followed their interests, taking part in activities of their own choosing. People had access to health care professionals when they needed them. People's privacy, dignity and independence were respected and promoted. Safe recruitment processes were followed.

Right Culture People's relatives were not clear about the management of the service. The registered manager had recently left the service, a new appointment was to be made. Staff told us morale within the team was improving. Formal support systems, such as team meetings and supervisions session were to be re-established to help promote teamwork. Whilst a range of audits and checks were completed, these were not always effective. An action plan was in place identifying areas of improvement across the service, helping to further enhance people's experience. Opportunities for people and their relatives to contribute to the running of the home could also be improved.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk