Brandon Supported Living - Gloucestershire

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.

The designs of the homes fitted into the surrounding residential areas . There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate the premises were care homes. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people .

People were supported to focus on making a positive contribution to others, the service and the community and achieve their potential. We saw examples of people being supported to take leadership roles in the service. This included the recruitment of staff at all levels, training of staff and quality assurance processes. Throughout the inspection, we found people and staff were motivated and passionate about equality and empowering people to live the lives they want.

People and carers spoke overwhelmingly of the positive support, guidance and healthcare interventions people had received. They were full of praise for the staff in terms of their kindness and compassion. People were 'very happy' with the service they received. We received positive comments about their views and experiences. People told us they felt safe because the staff were "Caring and enjoyed what they did". People and their families viewed the staff as experts in their knowledge and skills when supporting people with

complex health needs.

People's aspirations were explored with them and developed. Staff worked hard to make sure, that where it was possible, people had opportunities to lead as full a life as possible. They made sure daily activities were tailored to meet people's individual needs, preferences and abilities. Staff made sure people had opportunities to enjoy themselves. People's suggestions and ideas were sought and valued when it came to planning these activities.

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 registered managers and extended leadership team offered exceptional leadership and had a clear vision about the direction of the service. They were highly committed to improving people's lives and ensuring people had the best care they could receive. They expected the same high standards from the staff who were also committed to these shared values. The management team were very much part of the overall care team at Brandon Supported Living. They were very involved in people's care, visible and approachable. Staff working at the service clearly understood their role and worked hard to promote a homely atmosphere.

There was a robust quality assurance system in place to ensure people received the best possible service. The registered managers worked closely with partner agencies and services to promote best practice within the service and make a positive impact to people's lives. The service was constantly striving to innovate to ensure they were providing the best possible care to the people they were supporting. The registered managers had developed a strong leadership team within the service to ensure the high standards implemented were sustained in their absence.

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.