Dimensions Somerset Ashbury

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible to make choices about their care and lifestyle.

People were cared for by staff who worked together to meet people's needs. Staff felt well supported and happy in their roles. This helped to create a relaxed and happy atmosphere for people to live in.

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 were supported by staff who knew them well and were able to communicate with them in their chosen way. This ensured people could make choices about their day to day routines.

People were supported by adequate numbers of trained and experienced staff to keep them safe and meet their needs. The provider had a robust recruitment process which helped to minimise the risks of abuse to people. People were very comfortable and relaxed with the staff who supported them.

People's needs were assessed, recorded and met. Each person had a support plan which gave staff guidance about how people preferred to be cared for. Staff knew people well and were able to provide very individualised support to people.

The provider worked with other health and social care professionals to make sure people received the care and treatment they required. This included meeting changing health care needs and end of life care.

People benefitted from a provider and management team who has systems in place to monitor quality and implement improvements to the service people received. People were involved in decisions about the running of the home according to their abilities.

The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism.

Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.

As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the operations director at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people.

The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way. No restrictive intervention practices were used.