Portelet Cottage

People, relatives and visiting health and social care professionals spoke highly of the leadership and positive culture at Portelet Cottage. People and relatives described the staff team as "like family". Comments included: "They have become like an extended family and treat my [loved one] like they are part of a big family. They always keep me updated if there are any worries and concerns" and, "They are very good to me here."

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. Staff had been observed to uphold the rights of people using the service. A visiting health and social care professional stated, "Care staff offer support and respect if this is not accepted at that time, I always see staff return later to try again."

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence, and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. We considered this guidance as there were people using the service who have a learning disability and or who are autistic.