Creative Support - The Houghtons

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

At our last assessment we rated this key question Good. At this assessment the rating has remained Good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

People received safe care and support and told us they felt safe living at The Houghtons. Staff understood safeguarding procedures and were confident in reporting any concerns. Risks to people's safety were assessed and well managed, and people’s care plans detailed current risks and individual needs. There were sufficient numbers of staff who were safely recruited to meet people's needs. Risks to the environment were swiftly addressed and the service was well maintained and adapted to meet peoples needs.

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence.

At our last assessment we rated this key question Requires Improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to Good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

Peoples’ needs, and choices, were assessed and took into account their diverse needs and preferences before they went to live at the service. Staff supported people to live healthier lives, attend health appointments and support people with their complex needs. The provider worked in close partnership with external health and social care professionals to plan, deliver and continuously review people's care to ensure that outcomes were positive and consistent. People were supported in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act. 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.

Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. At our last assessment we rated this key question Good. At this assessment the rating has remained Good. This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care. Staff supported people to make choices and be as independent as they chose to ensure they had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing.

Responsive – this means we looked for evidence that the provider met people’s needs.

At our last assessment we rated this key question Good. At this assessment the rating has remained Good. This meant people’s needs were met through good organisation and delivery.

People were provided with appropriate, accurate and up-to-date information in formats that were tailored to their individual needs. There were systems in place to ensure people and their relatives were enabled to provide feedback about their care and support. The staff found ways to understand people who could not use words to communicate. These were personalised and helped people to express themselves. Staff also tried to find ways to communicate with people so that people understood them and could make informed choices.

Well-led – this means we looked for evidence that service leadership, management and governance assured high-quality, person-centred care; supported learning and innovation; and promoted an open, fair culture. At our last assessment we rated this key question Requires Improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to Good. This meant the service was consistently managed and well-led.People, relatives and staff all told us the service was caring, supportive, and distinctive. People said the staff went the ‘extra mile’ to make sure they received the care they needed and wanted.There were effective systems in place to monitor and improve people’s quality of care and continue to develop the service. Staff worked in full partnership with other services to meet people’s holistic needs. The provider had an effective audit and governance system in place to provide oversight of service quality. Action was taken promptly where required to improve the quality and safety of the service and changes were made swiftly and robustly to ensure people's changing needs could be met. Staff felt well supported in their role and there was a positive culture at all levels.