CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Autism Support and Care
Not yet rated: the CQC has not published a rated inspection for this home, which is usual for a new registration.
What inspectors found, February 2019
Autism Support and Care was rated Good; inspectors found kind, person-centred care, with some records and medicine guidance needing improvement.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 23 January 2019. One inspector spoke with people, relatives, staff and a healthcare professional. They observed the home and checked care records, medicine records, staff files and quality checks.
The home supported up to 13 people with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. There were 10 people living there during the visit. People said they were happy, safe and listened to. Inspectors saw staff treating people with dignity and supporting choice, communication and independence.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicine systems, good staff training, personalised support and approachable management. The home was rated Good at the previous inspection in December 2015 as well.
Some improvements were still needed. Guidance for managing incidents and distress was not always detailed enough, and one protocol for emergency epilepsy medicine was confusing. The home had identified these issues and began taking action during or before the inspection.
Kind and respectful support
People and relatives spoke positively about staff. Inspectors saw staff supporting people in a dignified way and found a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
“We observed staff members supporting people in a dignified and confidential manner.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in their support plans and encouraged to make choices, use the community and build independence. Staff used individual communication strategies to help people express themselves.
“People were empowered to make choices and have as much control and independence as possible, including in developing support plans.” from the report
Good staff support
Staff had a broad range of training, regular supervision and checks of their skills. Inspectors found them knowledgeable about people's needs.
“Staff were competent, knowledgeable and skilled, and carried out their roles effectively.” from the report
Good links with health services
The home arranged access to healthcare professionals and worked with other agencies. A healthcare professional praised staff knowledge of autism and their personalised approach.
“Their [staff] knowledge of autism is excellent and they have personalised the support of the person.” from the report
People's views led to changes
The home gathered feedback from people, relatives and staff and used it to make changes, including to food choices, reading and games.
“The board showed the management team and staff had learnt about people's needs and implemented action to meet them.” from the report
Incident and distress guidance
needs fixingSome support plans did not give enough specific guidance about managing incidents or using the least restrictive support when someone was distressed. The managers had identified this and were updating the plans.
“Support plans were detailed but would benefit from further guidance to ensure that the least restrictive interventions were used to support people in times of distress.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to support plans for incidents and distress since the inspection?
- 02How do staff now decide when and how to give emergency epilepsy or other as-needed medicines?
- 03What specialist medicine training has staff completed, and how is their competence checked?
- 04How do you record and follow up actions found through medicine and health and safety audits?
- 05How will you keep families informed when staffing changes affect communication?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the care provided and the home environment. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 February 2019 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 Support and Care
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 4 July 2012.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
75 live-in carers within about an hour of Nottinghamshire
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 63 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Ernest is an amazing professional carer who delivers care from the heart.”
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.