Lifeways Community Care Limited (Nottingham)

We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence, and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

Right Support:

People were encouraged to lead their lives in their chosen way and supported to access meaningful activities, including work, education, and developing their skills. Staff involved people in decisions and planning any changes to their care.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were kept safe. Staff understood and managed risk while supporting people to take part in activities in their local community, develop and maintain relationships, and try new things. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications, and experience. The registered manager made sure staff received training and regular supervision to maintain good quality care. Staff did not consistently manage medicines well, but people had regular health checks and medication reviews.

Right Care:

People were treated with kindness and compassion and received dignified care that respected their privacy and human rights. Care and support was person-centred although records did not always clearly demonstrate this. Individualised care and support plans were in place that enabled staff to provide person centred, outcome focussed, and safe care for each person. People’s preferred communication styles were known, clearly documented in their support plan, and respected.

Right Culture:

The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensured people supported by Lifeways Community Care Limited Nottingham team led confident and inclusive lives. Staff and managers had shared values which were based on supporting people to live an ordinary life as any other citizen with the same rights and opportunities.