Membership review for Cascade Living Solutions

This membership review is intended to reflect the experiences of the visitor who might be looking for a placement. It is subjective, consistent and impartial and reflects the impressions of our team member on the day of the visit.  It is a snapshot view only.

The contents of the review are intended to cover some of the subjects and issues which an individual, their relatives or their placement officer might ask.

This review has been published with the written agreement of the home owner or an authorised representative of the company

A committed and knowledgeable service offering supported living, residential, short breaks and day services for adults with autism, with a sea view too.

 

Summary of Findings

Cascade’s office and services are situated together on a sea front road in Withernsea within the East Riding of Yorkshire.

The services offered supported living, residential, short breaks and day services.

Staff members had all completed autism specific training and many have had long term careers working within the field of autism.

Cascade appeared to be committed to developing the individual’s skills and independence in order to help them achieve their aspirations.

It is my opinion that Cascade provided a very good and varied service for adults with autism and complex needs.

Introduction

At the time of the visit, Cascade was offering a variety of services for individuals with autism, challenging behaviours and other complex needs. It was established in 2010 with the opening of supported living provision; the residential service opened three years later. Cascade also offers short breaks and day services. 

Services operate 52 weeks per year with 24 beds for supported living, residential and short breaks places at any one time. Additional spaces are available within day services. 

Cascade’s mission ‘is to make a positive difference to the people we are supporting by providing person centred services’. 

Pam explained that the range of services offered an opportunity for individuals to progress to further independence without having a potentially difficult large transition.

First Impressions

I met with Pam Nicholson, Facilities Manager, at Cascade’s office.  This was situated next to the accommodation and clearly identified by signage. Parking was readily available on the street and the exterior of the building was clean and inviting. 

I was greeted by Pam and Sonnie Rozenbroek, Deputy Facilities Manager, who welcomed me inside. The office was clean and tidy. The walls displayed lots of information and pictures of the services’ activities as well as all relevant company certification. There were also displays about the local area.  Cascade’s complaints procedure was also displayed. 

Pam and I met to discuss the organisation and services prior to visiting them. 

The Environment (External)

Cascade’s accommodation when I visited comprised of three houses with the office attached. It is set back from the main road. The houses all appeared to be well maintained on the day and are lovely large properties befitting the seaside setting. Whilst the office presented the Cascade signage and logo, the houses did not . The properties had a low iron fence surrounding them. 

The rear of the properties offered wonderful space.  The gardens of the three houses and the office had been converted into one very large space.  This was secured by a tasteful high wooden fence.

The garden had a very large patio area, which Pam informed me is where barbeques were regularly held during summer months.  There was also a large lawn.  Besides this I was shown the enclosed horticultural space.  Pam explained that each tenant had responsibility for their own part of the garden.  They had some rabbits that the tenants care for and were in the process of getting chickens.  A tenant was tending to his patch in the garden when I visited.  He was working independently and appeared to be enjoying the activity.

At the rear of the garden, separated by the wooden fence, were the beach and the sea. This provided an amazing and calming view from each of the properties’ rear windows and the garden.  Pam explained that a great deal of time is spent on the beach. This may be walking, metal detecting, bike riding or fossil hunting. She said that the garden and beach both provided excellent calming spaces for the individuals with autism as well as addressing sensory needs. 

The garden space was clearly secure and Pam stated that Cascade also had excellent relationships with their neighbours. 

The Environment (Internal)

On the day of my visit Pam gave me a full tour of the supported living placements. This comprised of two three-bed and one two-bed apartments. The property I was shown is in the middle of the three in between the residential and short breaks provision and an additional supported living house.   Pam had the tenants’ permission for this.  I did not visit the residential property as it would have been potentially disruptive for a resident who was at home at the time of my visit.

Upon entering through the main front door, I found it to be welcoming and homely. The property was very well maintained and decorated in warm neutral colours.  A notice board by the entrance held information such as a local advocate’s contact, details as well as photographs of the staff team. The property had been modernised, however, many original features were preserved adding to the property’s appeal and homely feel. 

On the ground floor were a two-bed apartment and a separate staff office. All confidential information was locked within the office. Pam explained that it was very important that the properties felt like homes rather than a place of work. 

Each of the apartments had their own private front door. The accommodation was offered on an assured short hold tenancy. Pam once again explained that the mix of individuals was always something that is thoroughly considered during the placement process.

Each apartment has the individuals’ own bedrooms, which could be decorated to their own specifications; there were also shower rooms and the communal kitchen/living area. I visited all three apartments. Each was in very good repair and well decorated. The kitchen/dining rooms were all situated at the back of the properties with huge bay windows and fantastic views of the sea. 

The property had large spacious rooms with thick walls adding to its calm and peaceful environment. Each kitchen had a notice board with schedules for each tenant with their pre-chosen weekly menu plan. Once again the tenant was fully involved in this process and supported to prepare the food. 

From the garden I was shown to the Owls Studio. This was situated behind the office. Owls stands for Opportunities Workshops Life Skills. This was where individuals accommodated in the services or accessing day services work towards their ASDAN course. The space was clearly a hub of activity. There were several computers and arts and crafts material displays on all walls and photographs of recent activities. Three individuals were present accessing the facilities at the time of my visit and all appeared to be enjoying project research on the computers. Pam explained how Cascade supported individuals to learn and develop within all aspects of their lives whether that be personal care, communication or writing and Cascade also supports the access of therapies including music or art. 

The buildings are well thought out and secure. The atmosphere was very positive during my visit and it was wonderful to observe individuals engaging so well in their day.  Pam informed me that they were hoping to install a sensory room shortly.

The Wider Environment

Cascade’s services are in the seaside town of Withernsea  located close to local amenities and shops. Pam told me that they have an excellent relationship with the community. Individuals regularly accessed local shops, the leisure centre, horse riding, pubs, restaurants, quiz nights, allotments, fairs and fetes. 

Withernsea is in the East Riding of Yorkshire. This is situated approximately 20 miles from Hull and 50 miles from Grimsby. 

Pam explained that day trips are regularly undertaken to the surrounding areas. 

Understanding Autism

Pam had decades of experience within the field of autism. She had a family member on the spectrum and it was clear that her dedication and enthusiasm as well as knowledge were passed to her staff team. 

During the staff induction process specific autism training is undertaken by all staff as well as communication training. 

From the information that Pam gave me, everything is very much tailored to the individual. The assessment process allowed for each individual’s autism to be fully taken in to account whilst being flexible with types of support to allow individual development. The staff, management and the whole company remained flexible and prepared to make adjustments to accommodate all aspects of the individual’s autism needs. 

Pam and I discussed the Autism Act 2009 and she explained that through the community engagement Cascade were raising autism awareness. 

Clear, comprehensive scheduling systems were put in place for each individual. Communication plans were completed through consultation with local speech and language therapists. Each individual had behavioural and developmental plans in place which took full account of their autism. Transition in and out of the service was also carefully planned. 

Individuals Using the Service

Cascade’s focus was on developing each individual’s skills, independence and quality of life through plans built around their ambitions, goals, needs and preferences. 

This began with the referral and admissions process which Pam talked me through. Following the initial enquiry an application for placement was completed. This was a very specific document which gathered information from the individual, their families and the professionals working with them. It covered both needs and aspirations. 

Multiple visits to the individual were a key part to this process and subsequent transition plans. Pam stated that transition plans were made for each individual and were varied according to their needs. Prior to the placement risk assessments, behaviour development and communication plans were completed. Visits to Cascade were also supported with the opportunity to meet other tenants in a relaxed activity. Each tenant or resident had their own key worker allocated. 

All individuals accessing Cascade worked towards the ASDAN programme. ASDAN focuses on skills for learning, employment and life. Cascade was a registered ASDAN centre. This worked hand in hand with individual’s development plans and progression. As a part of this programme individuals had completed local work placements and training courses in joinery, building and painting. Pam felt that community contacts and experience would enable the team to support individuals into paid employment. She also stated that there were good links with local colleges and training providers. I was informed that all of the planning and development for an individual was done specifically for them and with their involvement. Pam explained that the key aim is to determine an individual’s level of independence and their aspirations and support them to achieve them. 

Individuals are both encouraged and supported to engage with one another through  social activities, day trips and learning. Pam discussed how important it was to match individuals living together for compatibility and that the accommodation offers several options. At the time of my visit several individuals were in the process of being supported to plan holidays together. One trip would be on the North Sea Ferries and another to a caravan on the coast. This was their choice of location.

I was shown an example of a weekly schedule which Pam explained had been put together with the tenant. The tenant had signed at the bottom of the schedule when they were happy with it. The schedule showed a range of education and activities. Pam said that choice and adaptation are key at Cascade. 

As a parent of an individual with autism Pam explained that family relationships were very important at Cascade. They have a quarterly newsletter, encourage family visits, had an open policy regarding phone calls and visits and staff were all open and honest with families. 

Each tenant had quarterly clothing checks, to ensure everything was in good repair, four monthly environmental checks, to determine any required aesthetic changes, as well as six monthly nutrition and well being assessments. They also had meaningful input into the services at Cascade through weekly residents meetings and a decision making forum. There was also a clear complaints procedure. 

Pam informed me that Cascade were open to taking emergency referrals. 

Health and Wellbeing

Each individual was registered with the local GP and dentist.  They also had access to speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, a nutritionists and a chiropodist who visited the site.  

Staff all underwent medication training and specific epilepsy training.

Six monthly nutrition and wellbeing assessments were carried out. 

Pam explained that Cascade was prepared to support a wide range of health needs.

Staffing

At the time of my visit Cascade had good staff retention. Pam explained that investing in staff was key to the development of the organisation as a whole. This, she felt, was what allowed the individuals residing to develop effectively. 

New employees had a 12 week induction programme following Skills for Care guidelines. This included 6 weeks of shadowing and a comprehensive training programme comprising of person centered planning, autism awareness, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene safeguarding, medication, communication, the Mental Capacity Act and Maybo for managing challenging behaviour. Each staff member also completed NVQ Level 2 or above. Staff inductions were only commenced once a full DBS (previously CRB) check was completed. 

Pam explained how the management team at Cascade liked to build upon staff skills in order to deliver more choice to the tenants. For example, one individual showed a particular interest in photography and had been developing this skill with a staff member for whom it was a hobby. This had also proven to be empowering for the staff team. 

There was a clearly outlined supervision, observation and appraisal system in place for staff. Management were said to be accessible and complete the same training programmes as the team. There were also weekly team meetings in order to allow debrief and feedback forums. 

Management of the Home

Pam was the Facilities Manager for Cascade; she was also the Registered Manager for all of their services.  Sonnie Rozenbroek was the Deputy Facilities Manager and had an extensive background in special educational needs.  There was a House Co-ordinator and a Head of House for each property.  The team worked very closely together and had weekly management meetings.

Conclusion

I was welcomed by Pam and the staff team at Cascade.  The setting was very relaxing and the services appeared well thought out with autism and associated complex needs in mind.  The individuals that I met during my visit were clearly engaging in meaningful activities and interacted well with both the staff team and each other.

The variety in the services offered at Cascade and the apparent quality of these services led me to believe that Cascade were able to support individuals with a variety of needs very successfully.

I look forward to visiting them again.

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Visiting Officer:

Kate Race
Review and Assessment Manager, Living Autism