Archived: Derbyshire Autism Services Group

We carried out this inspection on 19 July 2016. It was an announced inspection, which meant the provider knew we would be visiting. This was because we wanted to make sure that the registered manager, or someone who could act on their behalf, would be available to talk with us.

At our last inspection on 29 January 2014, we found that the service was meeting all standards assessed. It was compliant with the regulations and no concerns were identified.

A registered manager was in post. 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.

Staff were appropriately recruited, trained and supported. They had undergone a comprehensive induction programme and, where necessary, had received additional training specific to the needs of the people they were supporting. Communication was effective and regular meetings were held to discuss issues and share best practice. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities and spoke enthusiastically about the work they did and the people they cared for.

The provider had detailed policies and procedures relating to medicines management. Staff understanding and competency regarding the management of medicines was subject to regular monitoring checks and medicines training was updated appropriately.

Staff knew the people they were supporting and provided a personalised service and used effective systems for gaining consent. Individual care plans, based on a full assessment of need, were in place detailing how people wished to be supported. This helped ensure that personal care was provided in a structured and consistent manner. Risk assessments were also in place to effectively identify and manage potential risks.

Where people lacked the mental capacity to make decisions the home was guided by the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) to ensure any decisions were made in the person’s best interests.

Systems were in place to effectively monitor the safety and quality of the service and to gather the views and experiences of people and their relatives. The service was flexible and responded positively to people’s changing needs and any issues or concerns raised. People and their relatives told us they were confident that any concerns they might have would be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon.

Records demonstrated that consent had been obtained from parents regarding the support provided and showed that people using the service were involved and consulted about the support they received.

We found the service was well led by the registered manager and the coordinators who managed the children's team and adult's team. One parent told us, 'The manager is really good; she brings out the best in her staff team, the quality of the service they provide is excellent.' Another parent said, 'The staff are always behind you, I know they will sort any problems out, I have a lot of confidence in them.'

We also spoke to four members of staff who had a good understanding of the needs of people they supported and confirmed that they were provided with training and support to undertake their job effectively. Staff told us, 'It's a nice place to work; the management are very supportive and very approachable.' And 'We are kept up to date with training and get one to one and group supervision.' This demonstrated that staff were supported to undertake their work effectively.

We found that people's privacy, dignity and independence were respected. One young person told us the staff member who supports them 'looks after me very well and supports me to travel independently.'

We found people experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights. One person told us the service 'is exceptional. It is so valued by us as a family.' We found people's care and support needs had been thoroughly assessed and care was delivered in a way that met people's needs and ensured their safety and welfare.

People were protected from the risk of abuse, staff knew how to raise any concerns. We found that staff had received recent training in the safeguarding of vulnerable adults.

The provider had effective recruitment and selection processes in place. We found people were supported by suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

We found systems were in place to regularly obtain people's views about the care and service they receive. We found the provider had an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people using the service.