Step Up Support

The service has been developed and designed in line with 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.

People's experience of using this service and what we found: Relatives spoken with did not express any concerns about the safety of their family member. Relatives made very positive comments about support that had been provided to their family member. Comments included, "Yes, it's good" and "Absolutely fantastic. Very caring and sensitive to [family member] needs. They [staff] put themselves out for you."

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Safeguarding procedures were robust and staff understood how to safeguard people.

Individual risk assessments were completed for people so that identifiable risks were managed effectively.

Systems were in place to make sure the manager and staff learned from events such as incidents, concerns and investigations.

Relatives spoken with didn't express any concerns about the staffing levels at the service. The staff team planned and discussed the diary bookings and rota to ensure there were enough staff deployed to keep people safe and meet their needs.

There were robust recruitment procedures in place, so people were cared for by suitably qualified staff who been assessed as safe to work with people.

Medicines were managed safely at the service. The service had a robust system in place for receiving and returning people's medication when they came for a short break.

People were supported by staff who knew them well. People's care plans were person centred.

There was clear leadership in place, the registered manager supported people who came to stay at the service, so they got to know who she was. All the relatives spoken with made very positive comments about the staff team and the registered manager.

The service was clean and had a very welcoming homely atmosphere.

Staff had undertaken training which was regularly updated to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to support people effectively. Staff had received specialised training to meet the needs of people using the service. Staff told us they felt supported.

We saw that people's care plans contained information about the type of decisions people were able to make and how best to support people to make these decisions.

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.

We saw people were offered a wide choice of food and their individual preferences were considered.

People were treated with dignity and respect. People could choose how they wished to spend their time when they came to stay at the service. People were supported to attend activities within the community.

People were supported to maintain their independence and some people engaged in activities of daily living such as, food shopping and cooking a meal.

Relatives spoken with felt confident they could raise any concerns with staff and the registered manager.

The registered manager had a good oversight of the service and were experienced in their role. Staff spoken with made very positive comments about the staff team and the registered manager.

There were planned and regular checks completed at the service to check the quality and safety of the service provided.