Royal Mencap Society - Woodlands Residential Home

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.

Most people had limited verbal communication and benefited from clear routines and being supported by staff who knew their needs well. The service had retained a number of regular staff but have also had staff leave or planning to leave soon. Some of these staff had agreed to continue as bank staff. Agency staff were used to fill staffing voids, and most were longstanding. Staffing levels were appropriately maintained for people's needs but the service had not had long term stability.

People using the service had a range of different and complex needs which staff were managing well with the appropriate support from other health care professionals. Some concern was expressed however that staff did not always follow support and guidance given to them specifically in relation to autism, positive behaviour and communication.

Staff were confident in the training they received which they said was needs specific, but some staff said they had not had role specific training. For example, where they had responsibility for staff supervision and other senior duties. It was the view of other professionals that not all staff had sufficient understanding of autism and sensory processing which could impact on people's experiences of the service.

Care plans including a one- page profile, a clear health section and hospital passport. Health information was descriptive, and risks were identified and reduced whenever possible.

People were protected as far as reasonably possible from abuse because staff understood safeguarding and actions they should take to protect people. We found however there had been a number of incidents at the service which had impacted on people's safety particularly as people were not mobile and could not move out of the way. The service was addressing this.

Most people had one to one funding and took part in sufficient levels of activity which were planned. Due to the nature of people's disability and staffing levels some activities took careful planning and could only take place when there were enough drivers and enough staff to provide the right level of support.

People lived in an environment which was appropriate to their needs and was relaxed and stimulating. Bedrooms were personalised, and equipment was supplied around people's needs. Staff were observed to be patient and upbeat and supported people appropriately with their needs. Staff felt well supported and acknowledged that the service was improving.

There had been lots of audits to help determine the quality of the service and improvements necessary. Clear action plans were in place and there was good communication with families and health care professionals to help ensure people's needs were met as fully as possible.

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.