We carried out a review of the data available to us about Natural Ability on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Natural Ability, you can give feedback on this service.
Natural Ability is a supported living service. It provides personal care to people who live in their own homes. At the time of the inspection there were nine people using the service.
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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and relatives said this was an exceptional service that really had the best interests of people at its heart. They described the support people received service as “life enhancing” and “outstanding”. The exemplary values of the service promoted people’s independence and meant they lived meaningful, fulfilled lives. The service ethos was to help people with a learning disability to learn skills and be included as valued members of the community.
People received a tailor-made, personalised service from friendly, supportive staff. People said they really liked the staff and enjoyed being with them. Staff knew people’s needs and preferences very well. Relatives said the staff were “very caring” and made sure people had enjoyable experiences and a happy social life.
People were encouraged to make their own decisions and staff understood how people communicated their choices. Staff made sure that people were treated with dignity and respect and in a way that was free from discrimination.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff assisted them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff received the relevant training and support to assist people in the right way with their individual lifestyles.
Staff praised the culture of the management and staff team. They were all committed to providing high quality, person-centred support for people to be able to live purposeful lives.
There had been significant improvements in the way the service was managed. The provider had addressed the previous shortfalls in managing safeguarding incidents and the overall governance of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection (and update)
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 31 August 2018) and there were two breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.