BEAM ABA Services

Staff continuously supported people to develop. BEAM ABA used a progressive online software which allowed staff to promptly exchange information about people and to gather data about the effectiveness of interventions they provided. Based on extensive observation of people staff proactively suggested new support ideas to ensure people received care that was all-rounded and effective. Staff were dedicated and

engaged their own initiative and creativity to provide the most effective support to people. Because of staff interventions people were able to do things that were often difficult to do for people with Autism, behavioural difficulties and other special educational needs. This included meeting developmental goals which were similar to their age group, accessing activities in the community, participating in lessons at school and meeting their basic self-care needs. External professionals confirmed staff went over and above to ensure people lived a good life. This helped people to be an integral part of the community they lived in.

A further part of the service was supporting children and young people to express their views, so their voice was heard. Staff supported people to communicate their needs to teachers at school. Children and young people were supported to make their own decisions with the use of various electronic aids, and when possible to say what they wanted and how they wanted it. This was done gently, respectfully and with the belief that people could speak for themselves. Staff were highly enthusiastic about progress made by people. Many of them told us this was the main reason why their continued in their professional careers with Beam ABA. Family members thought staff were excellent in communicating with people and supporting people with development of their communications skills. Another key part of BEAM ABA's service was supporting families in developing relationships with their loved ones. This was achieved by the provision of specialist training for families on ABA techniques and through ongoing dialogue with family members on the best ways of supporting people both at home and in community settings such as schools.

BEAM ABA's approach involved the provision of care from highly skilled and well trained staff. Staff had regular training. It included certified and degree level qualification in using ABA techniques and other accredited trainings. Families thought staff skills and experience played an important role in progress and development achieved by their relatives. One family member said, "It's very reassuring to me that many of the staff have degrees in autism and applied skills to work in the field. I've always been impressed with the calibre of the staff." Staff had regular supervision and observations by senior staff and managers at the service. We saw that supervision focused on the observation of staff and their skill at following the ABA techniques.

Staff were caring and always ensured that people's rights had been met and their diversity had been respected. Family members and staff told us most of the personal care provided included prompting children and young people to do things for themselves. For example, going to the toilet and washing hands afterwards. The data we were shown detailed the hours of input taken to build children and young people's skills. One person's plan included five years of input and we could see the progression from one personal care skill to another.

The service worked closely with other professionals so that people could receive effective and consistent support in various settings. These included working with health and social care professionals, school and community staff and other professionals working in locations visited by people who used the service. Consequently, it was easier for people to become a part of the community they lived in.

The service provided safe care to people. There was a safe recruitment process in place to protect people from unsuitable staff. Staff understood how to recognise abuse and they knew what action to take if they thought people were at risk of harm for others. Medicines were managed safely. Risks to health and wellbeing of people, staff and the public had been assessed. Staff were provided with guidelines on how to minimise these risks.

People were supported to have enough food and drink that met their dietary requirements. Staff were helping people to develop skills, so they could participate in meals and drinks preparation and as much as

possible to be independent in meeting their nutritional meals. When needed people were supported to have access to health professionals to ensure their health needs had been met with no delay.

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.

There was a clear managerial and staff structure at the service and each employees' role and responsibilities had been clearly defined. Staff were effectively supported and encouraged to participate in service development. The regulatory requirements had been met. The service dealt with complaints promptly and according to the provider's policy.

The BEAM ABA mission and vision, to improve the lives of young people with complex behavioural needs, was evident in their structure and governance. The service had a range of quality assurance systems in place to carry out continuous review of staff skills and outcomes for people who used the service. The service carried out continuous improvements to ensure they learnt from accidents and incidents and when things went wrong.