Fylde and Wyre Short Break Services

We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’. This guidance supported judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choice, independence and access to local communities that most people take for granted.

There were robust processes to investigate and learn from safety events. The service supported transitions into and out of the service safely. Staff knew how to protect people from abuse. The team had a positive approach to responding to behaviour that communicated a need, emotion or distress, and risks were well managed. There were regular checks to the environment, and the service was clean and well-maintained. Staff were recruited safely and received a thorough induction. Medicines were well managed.

Care plans were detailed, and relatives were involved in initial assessments. People received appropriate support with eating and drinking, and were encouraged to eat healthily and exercise when required. There was good communication between staff and external services. Staff focused on improving people’s outcomes, including their quality of life; and understood the principles of consent.

Staff were compassionate, kind and caring. They got to know people very well and treated them as individuals. Staff promoted independence and supported people to attend a range of activities and develop meaningful friendships. Staff responded to people’s needs quickly to minimise pain and distress. There were systems and processes in place to provide staff with support and promote good staff wellbeing.

Support was person-centred and adapted to meet people’s changing needs. There was good continuity of care, and staff worked in a joined-up way with relatives and other services. People received information in a way they could understand and were given opportunities to feedback about the service. The service was adapted to meet people’s needs and the provider promoted equality, diversity and inclusion. Managers and staff helped people prepare for their future.

There was a positive culture at the service, which put people at the heart of things. Managers had the appropriate skills and led by example. Staff felt able to speak up about concerns and felt well treated. Governance systems were in place to ensure the service’s performance was managed and people received safe, good quality care. The registered manager worked with other services and attended forums to share learning, and there was an emphasis on continuous improvement.

However, systems to review care plans and ensure important information was captured needed improving and audits by managers and the area manager were not consistently completed.