The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Wirral Autistic Society Domiciliary Care Service

Unit 2, Grisedale Road, Bromborough, Wirral, Merseyside, CH62 3QA (0151) 334 7510

Provided and run by:
Autism Together

All Inspections

8 November 2011

During a routine inspection

We visited two of the supported living houses, with the consent of the people who live there. One person told us that he has lived in the house since July this year. He knew the names of the four support workers who work with him and said that he gets on well with them all. If he was not happy he would 'write a complaint form' also he knows the locality manager and would tell her if there were any problems. He sees his family regularly and speaks to them every day on the phone. He has an activities plan that he has agreed and enjoys swimming, go-carting and going to the gym. He can choose what he has to eat and shares the cooking with the other people who live there. He gets on OK with the other two people who live in the house with him.

The NHS team manager who is care coordinator for this person told us:

'I have been happy so far with the level of input the team have been providing. They are also good at communicating with myself to inform me of his progress, and any specific difficulties or positive steps he has taken. I believe they are meeting his needs, and will continue to work closely with the locality manager and the support team to identify ways in which to support him in his ongoing recovery.'

The second person we spoke with said that he has lived at this house with support from the agency for one and a half years following discharge from hospital. He said 'it's great'. He does not need any support with personal care. He is out a lot and involved in many different activities. All of the staff are good and if he was not happy about anything he would tell his key worker or the locality manager. He can phone the locality manager directly and is confident that she would address any problems. He has regular contact with his family, visits home and they visit him. Wirral Autistic Society seem to understand his needs better than other organisations he has received services from. He is able to look after his own medication with supervision from staff. He has medicines to take when he feels anxious but has agreed that he will only keep two tablets with him at a time so that he can't take too many. He hasn't needed to take them for a while. He knows about his support plan and has agreed the support he will receive.

We spoke with the relative of a person who has moved from residential care and she told us:

'This has been tremendous progress for him and something he has been craving for a long time. He seems satisfied with his extra independence with shopping and money. He gets plenty of support to do the activities he likes including gardening and walking. This keeps him fit and well. He has regular visits to his family and trips out with us. There are no complaints.'

We also saw positive comments made on survey forms that were sent out by the agency. These included:

'Supported living is the best thing that happened to my son he now has a life. Thank you.'

'Please note that my son has only been with you for three months but we are extremely impressed with all aspects of the care.'