Lowry House

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.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 12 people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design to provide separate flats where people lived independently or in small groups. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. 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. Staff showed a passion and commitment to helping people achieve their goals and realise their aspirations. Staff had a 'can do' positive approach to risk taking. They meticulously planned and liaised with families and health professionals to overcome barriers. We saw numerous examples of how people had been supported to identify lifelong aspirations. The service had taken a structure step by step approach to enable people to move at their own pace to achieve these. Families and staff told us about how significantly positive an impact this had to people's lives and given

them meaningful, fulfilling and rewarding opportunities in their life that they never thought would be possible. This included people working towards independence and employment.

People felt safe and were supported to take part in a range of positive activities in the community. Systems were in place to ensure that the environment, equipment and utilities were maintained and safe for use. Medicines were safely stored and managed. People were supported to self-medicate when possible and guidance was provided for people who had medicines they only needed occasionally, such as medicine to manage pain. The service followed systems to ensure staff were safely recruited and there were enough staff to meet people's needs. If things went wrong, such as incidents, these were investigated, and action taken to learn lessons and prevent future risks.

People were supported to access healthcare services as needed and staff were able to recognise when people had additional support needs. There were adaptations in place throughout the service to meet people's needs and promote independence. People's rooms were decorated to reflect their interests and preferences. Staff received a full induction when they began working at the service and told us they had all the training and support they needed to do their job.

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. Assessments of people's capacity was in place and the right people were involved in best interest decision making which included independent advocates.

Staff were kind and caring and people were supported to express their preferences and identity. Choice was promoted, and people were involved in decision making. Staff respected people's privacy and were committed to providing good quality compassionate care.

People, relatives and staff were positive about the registered manager and the management team. The service worked closely with others to achieve positive outcomes and people and families were encouraged to provide feedback through meetings and surveys to improve service delivery. Staff were clear on their roles and duties, and committed to reflective learning and contributed to the improvement of care in the service.