20 June 2019
During a routine inspection
Avenues South East – 1a Spencer Way (Spencer Way) is a residential care home providing accommodation or personal care for up to seven people with a learning disability and/or autism. At the time of our inspection, five people were living in the home.
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.
The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to seven people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People appeared happy and relaxed in their home and in the company of staff. Their relatives told us they felt their family member felt safe living at Spencer Road. Risks to people’s safety had been assessed and measures implemented to keep them safe. A positive approach to risk taking was followed to ensure people’s independence was maintained. Staff were aware of their responsibilities in safeguarding people from abuse and had developed open and trusting relationships with people.
Staff had received training and support from healthcare professionals with regards to people’s individual health needs. This had enabled staff to provide people with individualised support in these areas. People’s family told us their family member enjoyed their food and they were offered choices in how they spent their time.
People’s relatives told us staff were caring and treated their family members with respect. Staff had worked at the service for many years and positive relationships had been developed between people and staff. There was a warm and homely atmosphere and people were clearly comfortable living at Spencer Way.
People received a personalised service and were involved in developing their care plans. Staff knew people’s life histories, preferences and routines. Activities were based around people’s choices and people were supported to take part in the running of their home.
There was a positive culture within the service where people, staff and relatives felt listened to. The registered manager felt supported by the provider and this flowed through the service. Quality assurance systems were in place which ensured high standards were maintained.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
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 18 January 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for 1A Spencer Way on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.