North Star Foundation

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.

Lots of thought had gone into developing small staff teams to support each person. Staff knew people well and strong bonds had developed which helped people achieve positive outcomes. Respect for equality, diversity and inclusion was fully embedded within people's care and support.

Without exception the management and staff team worked in a way, which put the needs of people first. Support plans were written in an extremely sensitive and thoughtful way to reflect people's life history and likes and dislikes in detail. Each person's communication preferences were considered, and this was reflected in people's knowing their plans and diaries which they truly owned. From the provider to their staff team there was a real sense of going over and above to promote people's social inclusion.

There was strong leadership with the provider and their management team holding exceptionally strong values of inclusion and equality for people with learning disabilities. Staff were highly motivated and proud to work for the provider. People felt in control of their own care, listened to and their opinions valued. Family members spoke very highly of the management team. The provider ensured people were equal partners in their care and supported them to experience and achieve positive outcomes. The registered manager's oversight and governance assisted in ensuring high quality care was provided and people received safe care and treatment.

People were supported by enough staff to safely meet their needs. Staff were aware of the risks to people and supported them in a way which minimised those risks. Staff understood how to keep people safe from the risk of abuse and avoidable harm. They were confident to report any concerns they may have about people's safety. People's medicines were managed safely where assistance was required, and good infection control practices were used by staff.

People were assisted by well trained staff who promoted people's health and made sure they had access to health and social care services. Staff worked with a range of health professionals to ensure they knew and could support people's care needs. People were assisted to maintain good nutrition. 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.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and 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.