Aspens Supported Living & Outreach (West Sussex & Surrey)

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

People's experience of using this service:

People received a high standard of personalised care that was responsive to their needs. Staff were passionate about supporting people in the way they wanted and were enthusiastic about their work. Christmas could be a confusing and stressful time for people with autism. To combat this stress and relieve people's anxiety, staff had introduced the concept of Christmas to people gradually. From 1 December through to Christmas Day, people were encouraged to engage in activities relating to Christmas. This enabled them to really enjoy the festive season in a slow and measured way. People were encouraged to lead full and meaningful lives and to be part of the community. Local shopkeepers had been taught basic Makaton and had learned signing so they could engage with people when they went shopping.

Staff were keen to arrange activities with people according to their wishes and preferences. Two people went abroad on holiday and were accompanied and supported by staff throughout. Staff supported them through the formalities of foreign travel and the potential anxieties of going through busy airports.

People were supported to stay safe and their freedom was respected. Staff had completed safeguarding training and knew what actions to take if they had any concerns relating to people's safety. Risks to people had been identified and assessed and were managed to mitigate risks. Staffing levels were sufficient to support people and meet their needs. New staff were recruited safely. The registered manager had implemented a new system for managing homely remedies in relation to how medicines were administered on an 'as required' basis.

Staff had completed a range of training to meet people's needs and were encouraged to request additional training if they wished. Regular supervision meetings enabled staff to share their views with the registered manager and staff said they felt supported in their roles. People's dietary needs were assessed and catered for and people helped to prepare their meals and choose what they wanted to eat. People had access to a range of healthcare professionals and services. Consent to care and treatment was gained lawfully and in line with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People received support from a service that was well led and well managed. The registered manager had a good understanding of her role and responsibilities and how to meet regulatory requirements. Staff felt involved in developing the service and that their suggestions would be listened to. People were asked for their feedback about the service, as were their relatives. Every aspect of the service was monitored to

identify any areas for improvement.