3-4 Priors Court Cottages

The service offers on-site educational and vocational services via a learning centre, attended daily by the young adults, based on individual assessments and needs. Some people also attended off-site supported work placements.

The service effectively applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensured that people who used the service lived as full a life as possible and achieved the best possible outcomes, that include control, choice and independence.

People's experience of using this service: People experienced high quality care that was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. People consistently experienced outstanding person-centred care, which had significantly reduced their anxieties, the level of behaviours that may challenge others and the incidence of self-injurious behaviour. There was a strong, visible person-centred culture in the service which drove staff to provide care and support that was exceptionally caring and compassionate. Staff consistently cared for individuals in a way that exceeded expectations and demonstrated a real empathy for the people they cared for. Staff had developed close and trusting relationships with people, which supported people to achieve their ambitions and extremely positive outcomes. Feedback from people, relatives and professionals was overwhelmingly positive. Staff were exceptionally sensitive when people needed caring and compassionate support. They discussed this with them and helped people to explore their feelings. Staff found innovative and creative ways to communicate with each person and were particularly skilful at helping people to express their views and choices. Staff positively welcomed the involvement of advocates and were intensely supportive of their ideas and strategies to promote people's independence and protect their rights. People were protected from discrimination, neglect, avoidable harm, and abuse by staff. Risks to people's safety had been identified, assessed thoroughly and were managed safely. People received their medicines safely, as prescribed from staff who had completed the required training and had their competency to do so assessed. Staff effectively involved people and their relatives where appropriate, in decisions about their care, so that their human and legal rights were upheld. Staff felt valued and respected by the management team who had created a true sense of family within the service and a strong team spirit.

The registered manager ensured enough staff were always deployed to meet people's needs. The provider completed comprehensive pre-employment checks to ensure prospective staff were suitable to support people living with autism. Effective training and support ensured staff had the required skills to meet people's needs and promote their quality of life. Staff responded quickly to changes in people's needs. The service liaised well with internal and external healthcare professionals and demonstrated an effective multi-disciplinary approach. People's health, dietary and emotional wellbeing needs were well supported. Staff knew people's interests and preferences and supported them to access community activities of their choice and to pursue employment and education opportunities, which enriched the quality of their lives. People's care plans were comprehensive, individualised, and regularly reviewed, providing staff with the required information about people's needs and how to meet them. Staff and relatives felt their views were listened to and that the service was well managed. The service was well led, effectively monitored and staff sought to constantly develop and improve the quality of care. External accreditation and evaluation had also been sought. The registered manager had worked effectively with local organisations, health and social care professionals and multi-disciplinary teams.