Autism Together - 41 Church Road

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 69 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider had a proactive and positive culture of safety. Systems were in place to record and monitor accidents and incidents. Staff understood the process for reporting and recording events which occurred. Incidents and accidents were reviewed on a regular basis by the registered manager and the provider. This enabled them to analyse trends, identify any lessons learnt and work with people and staff to identify why the incident or accident had happened, and how to prevent similar incidents occurring.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. Family members told us they were kept informed if a person’s needs changed.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Systems were in place to protect people from the risk of abuse. Staff received training and understood the actions they must take if they felt someone was being harmed or abused. Staff told us they would not hesitate to raise concerns. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately. Information was available explaining how people could raise concerns if they felt someone was being abused. Family members told us they had, “No concerns” about their loved one’s care.

Some people were unable to consent to the care they received and were being deprived of their liberty through the deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) framework. We reviewed records and found authorised restrictions were appropriately assessed and accurately reflected in peoples care plans.

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Risk assessments had been completed, and personalised care plans had been developed to minimise any risk to people’s health and wellbeing.

The provider did not always detect and control potential risks in the care environment. They did not always make sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. For example, the bathroom was functional but needed a full refurbishment. The provider had not registered the service with the local authority for food safety. We were assured the kitchen area was clean and safe systems were in place. For example, food was dated when opened and regular checks were made on the temperatures of fridges and freezers. We discussed both issues with the registered manager. The registered manager was aware the service needed to be registered with the local authority, and this was addressed immediately. Staff had received food safety training. Assurance was also provided the bathroom refurbishment was being completed as a priority.

We were unable to review some health and safety documents initially due to the providers record storage systems. These records were quickly located, and we were assured routine fire and checks on the environment and equipment were up to date and certificates were in place.

The rest of the home was very cosy and well maintained. People enjoyed living in an environment which was personalised and decorated as they wished.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. Some bank staff were used to cover some shifts as there was a very small staff team. Recruitment was underway to recruit an additional staff member. We observed staff discussing with people the type of staff member they would like to see employed. Staff were safely recruited and inducted; appropriate checks had been made before applicants were offered employment. Staff received training to effectively support people with a learning disability and autistic people. One staff commented, “The training is excellent.”

Staffing levels were safe, and there were enough staff on duty to support people to access a variety of activities both within the service and out within their local community.

The provider did not always assess or manage the risk of infection. They did not always detect and control the risk of it spreading. The bathroom was tidy however the need for a bathroom refurbishment impacted on staff ability to achieve the highest standards of cleanliness. The remainder of the service was very clean. Staff had access to adequate supplies of the personal protective equipment (PPE) they needed when assisting people with care.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened. One person told us they preferred support with their medicines and said, “I don’t want to be responsible for my meds.” Records of administration were maintained and in line with best practice. This included systems to safely managed controlled drugs. Guidance was in place for all prescribed medicines administered on an ‘as required’ basis. This helped staff to understand why certain medicines were prescribed; and under what circumstances they should be offered to a person. Medicines were stored securely and only administered by staff who were suitably trained.