Real Life Options - South Tyneside, a supported living service for six people with learning disabilities and/or autism, was rated Good across all five key questions at its first inspection. The service demonstrated strong person-centred care, effective medicines management aligned with STOMP, high staff continuity, and a positive culture led by an engaged registered manager.
Strengths
· Strong application of STOMP principles and safe medicines management with regular audits and competency assessments
· Person-centred, detailed care plans and risk assessments aligned with Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture
· High staff continuity with very rare use of agency staff, supporting trust and wellbeing
· Effective safeguarding systems with online incident reporting shared with regional management for oversight and learning
· Strong partnership working with external health and social care professionals, smoothing transitions into service
Quality-Statement breakdown (20)
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuse; Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare services and supportGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversity; respecting privacy, dignity and independenceGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements; Continuous learning and improving careGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Working in partnership with othersGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood