CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Autism and Aspergers Care Services Ltd
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People told inspectors they felt safe. There were enough staff, individual risk plans, safe medicines procedures and regular checks of the building.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs and choices were assessed and reviewed. Staff had specialist training in autism and positive behavioural support, and people were supported with food, health appointments and communication.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were described as caring and passionate. People were treated with dignity, involved in decisions and supported to develop independence and maintain important relationships.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and kept up to date. People had individual goals, communication tools and activities linked to their interests, faith and community life.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager had strong oversight of the home. Regular meetings, audits and improvement plans were used to monitor care, records, medicines, finances, training and safety.
What inspectors found, March 2020
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care for three people with specialist autism needs.
The inspection took place on 06 February 2020. One inspector spoke with all three people living at the home, the manager and three support workers. Records, medicines, training and quality checks were reviewed. The inspector also received feedback from health and social care professionals and one relative.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, clean surroundings and staff who understood people's needs and communication. People were supported to build skills, make choices and take part in activities and everyday tasks.
The home had a detailed system for checking quality and acting on any issues. One health appointment had not been completed effectively, but another appointment was being arranged with specialist support. The overall rating remained Good, the same as at the previous inspection published in 2017.
Building independence
People were supported to gain skills through cooking, cleaning, laundry and other daily tasks. They also worked towards individual goals.
“People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.” from the report
Staff understanding
Staff knew people well and received specialist training for autism and positive behavioural support. This helped them understand triggers and respond consistently.
“People received support from staff who knew them very well as individuals.” from the report
Choice and activities
People were supported to choose activities, attend community venues, keep up religious practices and take part in regular outings.
“Staff supported people to take part in choosing activities to meet their individual needs and wishes.” from the report
Strong oversight
The home used regular audits and improvement plans to check that areas such as care, medicines, training and safety were managed properly.
“A detailed monthly quality assurance system ensured the smooth running of the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative's routines and known triggers for distress or behaviours that challenge?
- 02What communication tools would you use for my relative, and how would you help them understand their daily plans?
- 03How would staffing levels and one-to-one support work for my relative at different times of day?
- 04What progress has been made in arranging specialist support for health or hospital appointments?
- 05How would you involve my relative and our family in setting and reviewing personal goals?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the care provided and the home’s premises; all ratings were assessed at this inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 March 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, February 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with strong management.
This was an unannounced inspection on 30 December 2016. Inspectors spoke with one person, the registered manager and three staff members. They reviewed two care records, medicines records, staff files, complaints, incidents, audits and feedback. They also observed how people were supported and later received feedback from relatives and health professionals.
The inspectors found that people were safe and supported by enough suitably recruited staff. Medicines were managed safely. Staff had relevant training and understood people's needs, rights and choices. People were treated with kindness and respect, and their care plans reflected their routines, preferences and goals.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means the inspectors found the service meeting the standards they checked, but a Good rating is not the same as Outstanding.
Personalised care
Care plans included people's histories, preferences, routines and goals. Staff used this information to provide consistent support and respond to changes.
“Each person's care plan contained a detailed 'pen picture' about their individual needs and what they wanted to achieve.” from the report
Kind relationships
People appeared relaxed with staff. Inspectors saw respectful interactions, humour and staff spending time with people.
“Staff treated people with kindness and respect. Staff cared about people's wellbeing and supported them to make people feel happy and offered them choice.” from the report
Safe medicines
Staff were trained and checked their competence. Inspectors found medicines records accurate, with no recorded omissions or errors.
“There were no recorded omissions or errors confirming people were receiving their medicines.” from the report
Promoting independence
People were encouraged to make choices, develop skills and take part in daily tasks and activities.
“Staff promoted people's independence by ensuring they completed tasks on their own where they could.” from the report
Strong oversight
The registered manager used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor care and identify improvements.
“People benefited from a good standard of care because the provider had robust systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of care at the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and manage my relative's specific risks, including risks linked to behaviour, health, nutrition or going out?
- 02How would you make sure my relative's care plan reflects their routines, preferences, communication needs and goals?
- 03What training and experience would the staff supporting my relative have, particularly in autism and positive behavioural support?
- 04How would you support my relative to take part in activities, maintain relationships and build independence?
- 05How would you involve my relative and our family in reviews, decisions, feedback and any complaints?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall rating; the report says the previous inspection on 24 October 2013 met all the regulations inspected. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 February 2017 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Autism and Aspergers Care Services Ltd
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Autism and Aspergers Care Services Ltd →
- February 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Autism and Aspergers Care Services Ltd →
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 September 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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19 live-in carers within about an hour of East Sussex
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,000 to £1,400 a week. 13 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“When he point blank refused to go into hospital for a life saving blood transfusion she talked him through the situation and agreed to go in the ambulance with him and stayed until he was settled.”
“Una felt safe, secure and loved in her time with Debbie which is a gift that I am eternally grateful for.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.