Ashdown Care

People were protected from the risks of potential harm or abuse. Risks to people's safety and well-being were assessed and plans put in place to encourage positive risk taking. Where people may display behaviour that could be seen as challenging, positive behaviour support plans guided staff on how to support people to manage this safely.

People's medicines were administered safely and in accordance with the prescribing instructions. People had access to appropriate health care professionals to support them to maintain their emotional and physical wellbeing.

People received care and support from staff who had received appropriate training. Staff spoke positively about the training they received and its value. They said they had access to regular refresher training to ensure they were up to date with good practice.

The provider followed safe recruitment practices. People were actively involved in recruiting and choosing their own staff. There were sufficient staff to meet people's needs safely. Staffing was organised flexibly to support people to be able to access their chosen 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 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 service supported people to live as independently as possible in ordinary housing in the community. In line with The Real Tenancy Test and Reach standards people had separate tenancy agreements and care contracts. These support people to have control of where and who they live with. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the quality of service being delivered. Learning from incidents and accidents had been embedded in the service to drive improvements for people.