Include 'In' Autism

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care,treatmentand support achieved good outcomes and promoteda good qualityof life, based on best available evidence.

At our last inspection we rated this key question good. The rating for this key question has remained good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 79 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Staff made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, well-being and communication needs with them. The registered manager met with people and their relatives before packages of care started to ensure their needs could be met by the service. A relative commented, “At first, I was nervous, but they [staff] have been amazing, they assessed everything.” Guidance on how to support people with specific needs was incorporated into the assessment of needs. When needs changed, so did the assessment and the guidance for staff. A staff member told us, “Communication is very clear from management about any changes to the care plan and person’s needs. This is always communicated in advance of the support, so all staff are made aware.”

Staff planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards. Care plans were developed for each identified care need and staff had guidance on how to meet those needs. A staff member commented, “Staff receive relevant information before working with people. Risks assessment and care plans are easily accessed through the company’s electronic app.” Staff applied learning effectively in line with best practice, which led to good outcomes for people and supported a better quality of life.

Staff at the service worked very well across teams and services to support people to help them develop. There were examples of the positive impact to people as a result of the collaborative efforts of the service being involved in multi-disciplinary working. For example, some children successfully transitioned back into mainstream school. With tailored accommodation and ongoing support, they were able to engage in learning activities, establish peer relationships, and participate in classroom routines effectively. The service had effective systems in place for staff to communicate with each other which enabled them to deliver people’s care and support. Staff made timely referrals and worked with other agencies to ensure people's treatment needs were met. A professional commented, “Communication is really good with staff managing the service.”

Staff at the service supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. Records showed people received regular health checks, and included any specialist advice and guidance, that had been obtained where people had additional support needs, such as, from the GP, or district nursing service. Staff had the knowledge to monitor and identify a deterioration in a person’s health.

Staff routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. Care plans were personalised to ensure outcomes could be met, which meant people received safe and effective support. There was evidence of reviews and action being taken immediately following any changes to people’s needs. During reviews, care needs were discussed to improve outcomes.

Staff at the service told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. People’s consent to care and support was respected by staff. A staff member commented, “All care and support is person centred whereby what matters are the views of the individual. Choice is offered and discussions are held inviting the individual to participate in all aspects of their care or support. If they are unable to consent, then we help as much as practically possible in accordance with their human rights and the mental capacity act.” Care plans contained evidence that consent to care documents had been obtained from people’s legal representatives.