Clear Pathway Care

There were enough staff to keep people safe and meet people's individual needs. Staff had a good understanding of people's individual risks and how to minimise them without being unduly restrictive. There were improved processes in place to ensure the safe recruitment of staff.

Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA 2005) and how it applied to the people there. This provided protection for people who do not have capacity to make decisions for themselves. People's consent was consistently sought prior to support being provided.

An improved range of audits and regular checks helped ensure service quality was maintained and areas for improvement identified. Learning was shared with staff and used to develop the service.

People were supported by staff who had received the necessary training and ongoing support to help them meet their diverse needs with confidence. Staff competency was monitored on an ongoing basis through safe practice observations, regular supervision and appraisals.

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.

People's desire to socialise and participate in meaningful activity was met through a varied range of activities tailored to their tastes and abilities. Care included recognition and support for people's spiritual and faith-based needs. This holistic approach enabled people to lead full and active lives.

Staff felt motivated and supported by their colleagues and the management; telling us the service was "like a family." Senior managers had the skills, knowledge and passion to manage the service and work with people, staff and the provider to identify where it could be improved. People, relatives and staff were frequently consulted with their views used to influence what happened at the service. Feedback was unanimously positive.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right support: • The model of care and service setting maximised people's choice, control and independence

Right care: • Care provided at the service was person-centred and promoted people's dignity, privacy and human rights

Right culture: • The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of management and care staff ensured people using the service led confident, inclusive and empowered lives