Newsome Road - St Paul's House

This service provides care and support to people living in a 'supported living' setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people's personal care and support.

People's experience of using this service: The service was exceptional at placing people at the heart of the service. The managers and staff of the service had a strong focus on people having as many opportunities as possible to develop their confidence, gain new skills and become as independent as possible.

There was a very positive culture in the service. Staff attributed this to the strong guidance in the service and believed the high levels of positivity in the service stemmed from outstanding leadership.

The outcomes for people using the service truly reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support in the promotion of choice, control independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent. Promoting people's independence was a significant strength of the staff team.

Managers constantly looked for ways to improve the service. They had engaged people in how they would prefer the provider's governance arrangements to be carried out to avoid any impact on people living in their own home.

Relatives and other professionals we spoke with during our inspection highly praised the service and the impact it was having on people. People were in control of their own lives and were supported by staff who were determined to ensure people could make their own choices. Staff assisted people to make their wishes a reality.

Staff understood people's personal risks and had worked with them to develop their skills and minimise risks. People had been enabled to access the community and public transport with confidence.

People, relatives and other professionals told us how people were highly valued, shown great respect and their dignity preserved. Managers engaged representatives from across their services to listen to their views.People were supported to have the optimum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff were exceptionally caring. They all shared the same hopes and aspirations for people to continue to live the lifestyle of their choice. People's voices were of paramount importance in the service.

There was clear and consistent working with other professionals who supported people. Staff had promoted people working with other professionals and sought their advice when needed.

Recruitment practices for the service were safe. Staff were supported through an induction, training and supervision. This included the safe management of medicines and safeguarding. Additional training had been sourced for staff when people's needs had changed.

People were actively engaged in managing their own records. Care plans were accurate, up to date and based on robust assessments of need.

The provider welcomed comments about the service. They had an accessible complaint's process available to people. The service had not received any complaints.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk