Service provider makes 'remarkable turnaround'

Creative Support Bedford Services was inspected over several weeks in July and August

A service that provides supported living for people with autism and learning disabilities has had a "remarkable turnaround" from a previous "requires improvement" watchdog rating.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has now given Creative Support - Bedford Services now had an "outstanding" rating.

A comprehensive inspection was carried after "previous breaches of regulation related to safe care and treatment, staffing and good governance", the CQC said.

Lyndsey Downes, service director at Creative Support, said their actions carried out in "such a short space" had taken hard work, resilience, commitment and openness,

Creative Support runs a number of services across Bedford

"CQC assessed the service using its right support, right care, right culture guidance," the inspectors said.

It was to assess if the service guaranteed "autistic people and people with a learning disability the respect, equality, dignity, choice, independence and access to local communities that most people take for granted".

After the inspection between 25 July and 18 August it was rated "outstanding" for how caring and well-led the the services were, and "good" for how safe, effective and responsive they were.

The improvements meant it "was no longer in breach of legal regulations", it added.

The service commemorates things like VE Day with special events for service-users

'Exceptional compassion'

Stuart Dunn, CQC deputy director of operations in the East of England, said its inspection "found a service that placed people's care and independence at the heart of everything it did".

"Staff treated people with exceptional compassion and dignity, supporting them to live fulfilling lives in line with the right support, right care, right culture guidance,2 he said.

"This is a remarkable turnaround from the last inspection.

"Leaders and staff have worked hard to use our previous report and make lasting changes, embedding a compassionate culture where people are truly listened to and empowered.

"It shows what can be achieved when strong leadership and values are firmly centred on people's needs."

Ms Downes said: "The report made my heart dance and shows just how many people have seen the positive impact of the improvement journey we have been on."