Leeds home-based NHS service providing 'outstanding care' according to latest inspection report

The latest CQC report for the Specialised Supported Living Service.

A Leeds-based NHS service providing care for people with learning disabilities and autism has been given a glowing report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The Specialised Supported Living Service provided by Leeds and York  Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has been rated Good overall and Outstanding for the care it provides.

The service supports and cares for people with learning disabilities and/or autism in 16 ‘supported living’ settings designed to help people live as independently as possible.

The service was previously rated as Requires Improvement in 2016 but following a visit from CQC inspectors in December 2017 and February 2018, the service has received the following rating:

Overall rating for this service Good
Is the service safe? Good
Is the service effective? Good
Is the service caring? Outstanding
Is the service responsive? Good
Is the service well-led? Good

A running theme in the report is the person-centred culture of the service and people were seen by the inspectors to be receiving care how they preferred it. The feedback also described how service users ‘were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible’.

Other praise for the dedicated team focused on their skills to problem solve and ‘work to support people to achieve their aspirations.’ The report also shone a light on the ‘exceptionally innovative’ ways the staff support people to be actively involved.

Photograph of Cathy Woffendin, Director of Nursing and Professions

Cathy Woffendin

The Trust’s Director of Nursing and Professions, Cathy Woffendin, said: “We’re delighted the service has been recognised as Good and Outstanding for the care it provides. The feedback we’ve received from the CQC is really positive and it’s inspiring to hear all the great things the inspectors picked up on, especially that our staff are providing an extremely person-centred service.

“One of the highlights for me was that they could see our staff supporting service users to achieve their ambitions like going on their dream holiday and starting new hobbies.”

A team of 200 staff make up the Specialised Supported Living providing direct care and support to adults with learning disabilities. The staff help with personal care, maintaining physical health and developing leisure and social interests.

Image of Gill Galea. JPEG

Gill Galea

Gill Galea, Operational Manager for the service, said: “I am immensely proud of the team and service. The feedback from service users is continuously positive and their family and friends speak extremely highly of the staff and the care their loved ones receive. This recognition from the CQC is a testament to the entire team for putting in so much time, hard work and dedication. Being rated Outstanding for care is a credit to all the staff.”

Read more about the service

Read the full CQC report