Consensus Community Support - Northamptonshire

People lived in their own accommodation either in a flat within a complex, a house with shared communal areas or a flat or bungalow in the community.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

Staff were highly motivated to support people to achieve their goals and aspirations. Staff spoke fondly of people and were proud of what they had achieved. There was a real 'can do' attitude. Staff were well trained and very well supported to develop their skills and knowledge which benefitted the people they supported. They were innovative in their approaches and thought 'outside the box' to help people achieve their goals.

The feedback from people and their families was overwhelmingly positive with a consistent theme that people felt cared for and empowered to do what they wished. People were involved in the recruitment of staff and took control as to which staff were suited to support them with the various activities they undertook.

People were treated as individuals and were valued and respected. They were involved in monitoring and maintaining quality standards within their own homes. The staff ensured that people's privacy and dignity was protected and spent time getting to know people well.

The registered manager led by example and ensured staff appointed shared their ethos of providing good quality care and support, valuing staff for their individuality and what they could bring to enhancing people's life experiences. They actively sought feedback from people, their families and staff to continually look at ways to improve the service and were receptive to ideas and suggestions.

The systems in place to monitor the quality and performance of the service were highly effective and the provider was quick to address any shortfalls identified.

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 services supported this practice.

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.