CQC rate Avenues South East Services, Sevenoaks, Kent as Outstanding

The Care Quality Commission has rated the quality of care provided by Avenues South East Services as outstanding.

The service supports adults and young people; over the age of nine, who have learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health needs. It supports people with complex health needs in their own homes or in supported living services. This is one of the first Assisted Supported Living services to achieve an Outstanding rating under CQC’s approach to inspection in all five of our standards (safe, caring, responsive, effective and well led), and the first in Kent.

During the inspection of the services, in July, CQC found that staff had exceptional skills, knowledge and experience to support people effectively. Staff knew people extremely well and had formed positive and respectful relationships with the people they supported.

CQC observed innovative and imaginative tools were used to communicate with people and meet their needs. Assistive technology was used to enable people to be as independent as possible. Inspectors found people’s care was personalised to reflect their wishes and what was important to them.

There was a strong emphasis on person centred care. People were supported to plan their care and they received a service that was based on their personal needs and wishes. The service was flexible and responded positively to changes in people’s needs

The reports can be found at the following location: http://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-1921107882.

Debbie Ivanova, Interim Deputy Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care in the South, said:

“We found the management and staff at Avenues South East Services committed to providing outstanding care to the people using the service. People were supported and encouraged to have choice and control of their lives. The team working there led by the registered manager should be extremely proud of the work they do.

“What really impressed me in reading the inspection report and speaking with those involved in the inspection about this service was the level of personalised support that people received, from staff who had the right skills and who treated people with kindness, compassion and dignity. People told us they liked the staff who supported them, and staff themselves declared it a great place to work.

“People should always be cared for by services that are safe, effective, caring, responsive to their needs, and well led.  I would encourage other providers to read this report, and the others we have published on services we have rated Outstanding, to see what they can learn.”

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