Personalised support earns Brighouse service outstanding first rating

A Brighouse care service has been rated outstanding at its first Care Quality Commission inspection after staff were praised for creating highly personalised support around people’s interests, ambitions and complex needs.

The Brambles Apartments, operated by Bridge Community Care Limited, provides accommodation and personal care for up to seven people with learning disabilities and other complex health conditions.

Following its inspection in July, the CQC rated the service outstanding for effectiveness, caring and leadership. Safety and responsiveness were rated good.

Inspectors assessed the service against the regulator’s Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture guidance, which examines whether autistic people and those with learning disabilities are supported with dignity, equality, choice and independence, including meaningful access to their local communities.

People, relatives and professionals described a caring culture in which staff understood each resident’s preferences and aspirations. That knowledge was used to create support that promoted wellbeing and helped people achieve positive outcomes.

One resident’s love of Doctor Who inspired staff to build a Tardis in the garden. Another person who enjoyed arts and crafts was supported to decorate the garden fences with their own artwork. Inspectors said these examples demonstrated the effort made to ensure people’s individual interests became part of everyday life.

The service had also adapted its environment to reduce distress and manage risk without unnecessarily limiting people’s independence. Following discussions with one resident, their family and professionals, staff secured furniture and fittings, protected windows and electrical switches and provided access to an enclosed garden.

When another person was preparing to move from hospital, employees visited regularly before the transfer. This allowed relationships to develop and gave staff time to understand the person’s needs, routines and preferences, supporting a safer and less distressing transition.

Victoria Marsden, CQC deputy director of adult social care in the North, said the service demonstrated the genuinely person-centred support expected of an outstanding provider.

Inspectors found that people received consistently kind and compassionate care from staff who knew them extremely well. Where care plans required two employees, staffing arrangements ensured this support was delivered safely and without becoming intrusive.

People were also helped to plan for major changes in their lives, including decisions about future and end-of-life care. Staff reported feeling listened to, with leaders openly recording concerns raised by the team and the actions taken in response.

The CQC said other services could learn from The Brambles Apartments’ approach to combining safety with individuality, independence and respect.

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