Upperton Gardens is located in Eastbourne. It has been established since 2007. It is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for up to six individuals with learning disabilities, autism and challenging behaviour between the ages of 18-65. Currently Upperton Gardens supports four male and two female people.
Upperton Gardens is a large, six bedroom Victorian house close to the town centre of Eastbourne.
Three bedrooms are situated on the first floor and three are on the top floor. Two bedrooms have en-suite facilities. The remaining four bedrooms share three bathrooms.
A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The manager was proud of the service and explained that the provider had developed the service to try to meet the needs of younger adults who enjoyed an active life.
Relatives told us, “It fits my relative’s needs, there is lots to do” and “This was the best. I just wish there were more places like this for young people.” A professional said, “They are always willing to listen and work with us”.
Staff were motivated and had been provided with appropriate training and support. Staff told us, “Staffing levels are good”. People were able to engage in a wide variety of activities within the service and outside, in both services provided for people with disabilities and none.There were enough staff to spend time with people and support them in ways that encouraged their independence and made them feel safe. A relative said, “I’m satisfied there’s enough staff. What’s more, they’ve had lovely people join over the years and they have stayed.”
Peoples’ support plans were detailed and contained sufficient information to effectively direct and inform staff of people’s needs. People and their relatives had been involved in the development of support plans to help ensure they reflected people wishes and interests.Relatives told us, “We have been involved in the planning. We have a meeting or are sent the information and can talk with them about the care [my relative] receives”. Risk assessments provided staff with clear guidance on how to support people appropriately and minimise identified risks.
Staff understood how to recognise abuse and to report their concerns. There were policies and procedures in place for managing risk. Risk assessments were centred around the needs of the person. People were encouraged to maintain as much independent as possible.
Medicines were stored and administered safely. Staff were trained in the administration of medicines and kept relevant records that were accurate and fit for purpose.
People were supported to have a balanced and nutritious diet. People were supported by staff to prepare drinks, snacks and meals where it was appropriate.
The service had worked effectively in partnership with other local services and health professionals in order to meet people support needs. Staff had developed supportive and caring relationships with people. Staff were highly motivated and throughout the inspection we observed staff actively engaging with and encouraging people to undertake activities.
Staff understood the aims of the home. They expressed confidence in the provider and manager’s leadership of the home. There was good communication between staff and everyone helped each other. Everyone we spoke with commented how Upperton Gardens was a service with values that were embedded into everyday practice. A professional who regularly visited the service told us, “In my opinion it is unusual to find a manager who is hands on, very knowledgeable about the clients, eager to take on new ideas and keen to set these ideas in place.”