Autism Plus - Rusholme

Updated 26 February 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 14 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 26 February 2022

Autism Plus - Rusholme is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Autism Plus - Rusholme is registered to accommodate two people with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our visit one person was living at Rusholme.

This comprehensive inspection was unannounced, which meant those associated with the home did not know we were coming. It took place on 14 August 2018.

At the last inspection in June 2016 the service was rated overall as good. You can read the report from our last inspections, by selecting the 'all reports' link for ‘Autism Plus - Rusholme’ on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The home had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons.’ Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People continued to feel safe. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities to safeguard people from the risk of harm and risks to people were assessed and monitored regularly. The service provided specialist care for people who at times, present behaviour that might challenge others. Everyone we spoke with, including external professionals, said the service was effective and provided individualised care.

Staffing levels ensured that people's care and support needs continued to be met safely and the staff recruitment processes in place had been reviewed and improved. Staff recruited had the right values and skills to work with people who used the service. Risks continued to be assessed and recorded by staff to protect people. Accidents and incidents were monitored and evaluated so the service could learn lessons from past events and make improvements where necessary. The registered provider had formal systems in place to monitor or review that infection prevention and control was effective.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People continued to receive their medicines in a safe manner and received good healthcare support. People received a nutritious and balanced diet and their dietary needs and choices were met. Staff received the training they needed to deliver a high standard of care and support. They told us that they received very good quality training that was relevant to their work.

Staff were caring and kind. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and promoted their independence. Staff were committed to providing care that was centred on people’s individual needs. There continued to be a strong, person centred culture in the care and support team. Person centred means that care is tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of each person, as an individual. It ensures the person is at the centre of everything the service does with and for them. This means that staff take account of the person’s individual wishes and needs; their life circumstances and their choices.

Care and support plans provided detailed information about people so staff knew how they wished to be cared for in a personalised way. People were at the forefront of the service and encouraged to develop and maintain their independence. A varied range of activities were on offer for people to participate in if they wished. There was an emphasis on getting out into the local community. People were encouraged and supported to pursue their interests and hobbies. People were listened to and treated fairly if they complained about the service.

The registered provider continued to effectively monitor and audit the quality and safety of the service. The service had a culture which encouraged communication and learning. The health and social care staff we spoke with praised the quality of the service. People, their representatives and the staff were encouraged to provide feedback about the service and this was used to drive improvement. Staff told us they worked as part of a team and that Rusholme was a good place to work.