Merry Den

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

The new registered manager had been instrumental in implementing new systems and directing the quality of care being provided to achieve positive outcomes for people.

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 guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. People were involved in decisions about their care and supported to make choices about their day to day living. The culture of the service promoted independence, choices and empowerment for all people who received a service from Merry Den. People's care was focused around their needs and wishes.

People's needs had been assessed and were being met in line with current guidance. People's individual risks and medicines requirements were comprehensively recorded, monitored and known by staff.

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. They were supported to make choices about their lives such as activities and were encouraged to have a healthy and balance diet. Staff monitored people's well-being and supported people to access health care services as required.

Systems were in place to ensure people continually received their funded support hours.

People were empowered to raised concerns and discuss their views with staff. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to report any allegations of abuse or concerns. Relatives praised the caring nature and

approach of staff. One relative said, "We have absolutely no concerns and are very happy with how they [staff] managed throughout the pandemic."

Effective infection control practices and extra measures had been implemented to prevent the spread of infection and to assist people in understanding the restrictions related to COVID-19.

Staff had been safely recruited. They confirmed and records demonstrated that staff had received the training and support they required to meet people's individual needs.

The registered manager and provider were committed to improving the service and learning from any incidents. Effective operational quality monitoring systems and policies were in place which enabled the registered manager to evaluate the service being delivered and to direct staff in good practices