DSAS- South Network

The service provides personal care and support to 57 people living in 14 supported living properties or in individual flats within a block, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. People live on their own or in small groups, each person having their own bedroom and sharing the lounge, bathroom and kitchen. Where required staff either slept in the house to be available in the event of an emergency or stayed awake throughout the night.

The size of properties meets current best practice guidance. This promotes people living in a small domestic style property to enable them to have the opportunity of living a full life.

There was a clear management structure in place. A quality assurance system was used to monitor and improve the service. People and staff were involved in reviewing their care and support. Staff said they enjoyed working at the service and felt well supported. The service worked well with a range of professionals and had adapted to use more video and telephone conferencing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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.