Updated 15 January 2024
An assessment has been undertaken of a specialist service that is used by autistic people or people with a learning disability. We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it. Management of risks to people, including from the environment needed improvement. Systems to support goal planning and independence needed development. Processes to ensure staff employed were fit and proper needed improvement. Learning from incidents was not effective. Improvements in the governance and oversight of the service were required. Leadership within the service needed to be strengthened. Systems to ensure safeguarding concerns were identified and reported required improvement. DoLS authorisations had not always been submitted in a timely manner. Improvements were needed in supporting people’s communication needs and following external guidance from professionals. People were listened to and supported to make decisions on their day-to-day life and routines. People could access their local communities, maintain relationships, and participate in activities they enjoyed. There was enough staff. The living environment was pleasant. People were supported to look after and personalise their rooms. Staff and people felt able to raise concerns. There were positive relationships between people and staff. Staff knew people well, this helped to meet people’s needs and preferences.