Autism and Aspergers Care Services Ltd

Updated 12 November 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Autism & Aspergers Care Services Limited is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced.

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection

We spoke with one person, two members of staff and the registered manager. We also spoke briefly with a relative of one person. We reviewed a range of records. This included both people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed. We also pathway tracked both people. This is where we check that the records for people match the care and support they receive from staff.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at staff training, minutes of meetings and quality assurance records. We emailed four professionals who regularly visit the service and received a response from one.

Updated 12 November 2019

Autism and Aspergers Care Services Ltd is a residential care home providing personal care to three people. At the time of inspection, two people were living at the service. People had varied needs related to their learning disabilities and specialist needs associated with Autism. The provider also owns another two services locally.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People received support from staff who knew them well as individuals. They understood their needs and were kind and caring. People’s care and support needs were assessed and reviewed regularly. This meant people received care that was person-centred and reflected their needs and choices.

People were supported to maintain their own interests and friendships. They attended work placements independently and where appropriate, staff supported people to take part in activities of their choice to meet their individual needs and wishes. This included shopping trips, trips to theatre and pub, and trips to places of interest.

People were protected from the risks of harm, abuse or discrimination because staff knew what actions to take if they identified concerns. The home was clean and tidy throughout. There were enough staff working to provide the support people needed, at times of their choice. Recruitment procedures ensured only suitable staff worked at the service.

Staff understood the risks associated with the people they supported. Risk assessments provided further guidance for staff about individual and environmental risks. People looked after some of their own medicines and were supported to receive others when they needed them.

Staff received training that helped them to deliver the care and support people needed. This included specialist training in autism and positive behavioural support to meet people’s complex needs. They attended regular supervision meetings and told us they were very well supported by the registered manager. A staff member told us, “(Manager) has a genuine concern for the wellbeing of people and staff.”

People's health and well-being needs were met. Where appropriate, staff supported people to attend health appointments, such as the GP or dentist and attended appointments for specialist advice and support when needed. People's nutritional needs were assessed. They were supported to eat a wide range of healthy, freshly cooked meals, drinks and snacks each day.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The provider and registered manager had good oversight of the service. They knew staff and people well and provided a supportive environment to live and work. There were a series of audits which helped the provider and registered manager to identify where improvements were needed to continue to develop the service. There was a detailed complaint procedure, and this was displayed so anyone wanting to raise a concern could do so.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good. (published 30 December 2016).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.