The Wilf Ward Family Trust Supported Living East

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.

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. Staff were very skilled in how they offered people choices and supported them to make decisions. Accessible information was used to help people understand options and make decisions. We made a recommendation about record keeping in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People's needs were thoroughly assessed, risks identified and then their care and support planned in a way which maximised their independence whilst supporting them to stay safe. People and their relatives were involved in planning and reviewing the support provided to make sure it met their needs and personal preferences.

Staff were well trained and supported to provide effective care to meet people's needs; they accessed a wide range of training and received regular supervisions and an annual appraisal. Staff monitored people's health and wellbeing and supported them to attend appointments and seek medical attention if they became unwell.

People enjoyed the company of the staff who supported them and felt safe with the support they provided. Staff were trained to safeguard people from the risk of abuse or avoidable harm. Medicines were managed and administered safely. Accidents and incidents were monitored to make sure lessons were learned if things went wrong.

People were supported to take part in a wide range of activities and enjoyed the opportunities to try new things and pursue their hobbies and interest. Staff were proactive in how they supported and encouraged people to maintain their independence.

People felt able to speak with staff or management if they were unhappy or needed to complain.

There was a person-centred culture within the service and this was reflected in how the care and support was organised and delivered to meet people's needs and improve their quality of life. People were actively engaged in developing the service and in driving improvements. Meetings, surveys and engagement groups were used effectively to encourage people to be involved in shaping and improving how the service was run.

There was open communication and management were responsive to feedback and suggestions. Audits helped management monitor the quality and safety of the service and identify when improvements could be made.