We visited Ladignac during an afternoon and evening. The people who lived in the home were out at an education centre or on outreach activities when we arrived. During the evening, we saw that people were supported to pursue their individual lifestyles and interests. Two people went for a walk with a member of staff, whilst one person chose not to go with them. People assisted in different ways with serving and clearing their evening meal. After the meal one person chose to sit reading in the summerhouse. The other two people did different art activities in the garden with a support worker until opting to go indoors to watch a favourite television programme. A person about who lived in the home told us got up when they liked at weekends and they chose when to go to bed. They liked some television programmes and chose whether to watch their own television or to join others in the sitting room. They had joined in decision making about where the people in the home were going on holiday, and they were happy with the outcome. They told us people were regularly asked by staff if they were satisfied with how the home met their needs.
We spoke by telephone with relatives of each of the people that lived in the home. One person's relative told us the manager and staff of the home had an excellent understanding of their relative's needs. They said there was a strong sharing of information between themselves, their relative and the staff of the home. All the relatives we spoke with saw Ladignac very much as their relatives' 'home'. They saw the people who lived in the home as integrated into their local community, for example by using public transport and going to barbecues at a neighbouring house. They told us they saw staff respecting people's privacy and dignity, and encouraging independence.
One of the people that lived in the home stayed with their family most weekends. Their relative told us they used a communication book through which they and home staff exchanged information. This helped ensure the person experienced continuity of care.
Staff were aware of people's whereabouts at all times and maintained positive interactions with people. A person's relative described the home as 'a safe environment that promotes their interests'. A person who lived in the home told us living there helped them keep safe. They said they were helped to manage their money.
People's relatives told us they had regular contact with the home by visits and telephone. They said the provider always wanted to know if they were satisfied with the care and support their relatives received, and if they had any observations or suggestions about the service. One person said that the small and personal nature of the service meant they had an ongoing open relationship with the provider.