Membership review for Rebe

The membership review is intended to reflect the experiences of the visitor who might be looking for a placement.

The review is subjective, consistent and impartial, representing the impressions of our team member on the day of the visit. It is a snapshot view only. The contents of this review are intended to cover some of the subjects and issues which an individual, their relatives or their placement officer might ask.

In order to preserve their confidentiality, we did not have access to care plans or personnel files.

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

 “It was good to see happy and contented service users in a homely environment”

Summary of Findings

Cardell Care is a small organisation formed in 2007 and comprising of 5 small services. There were 17 beds in total.

The service I visited was known as Rebe, residential care service for 3 people. At the time of the visit there were two service users at Rebe who were encouraged to be fully involved with all decisions made.

Introduction

Rebe is a detached, modern house in the centre of a new housing development in Gloucester. There was nothing on the outside to distinguish it as a service for adults with a learning disability and autism.  It fitted in well with the surrounding domestic dwellings. At the time of my visit there were 2 service users residing at Rebe with a third expected shortly.  Each had a diagnosis of autism.  

Referrals were mainly coming from the local authority with whom Cardell Care had a good relationship.

I was met by Della Gilby who was the joint owner of Cardell Care and registered manager for 3 of the services including Rebe. Della spent a few minutes describing the structure of the organisation and its ethos before handing over to Becky Niblett, support worker, with whom I spent the remainder of the time.

First Impressions

At the time of my arrival both service users were out with support workers participating in their daily activities. 

They were out in the two vehicles belonging to the service, enjoying separate activities.  One of the service users returned shortly afterwards and I had the pleasure of his company for the remainder of my visit.  He told me that he loved living at Rebe and wanted to live there for ever.  He certainly appeared happy.

The Environment (External)

Rebe is situated in a housing development approximately 15 minutes from the centre of the City of Gloucester.  The streets each had several different styles of property some with front gardens, others without.  Parking was limited and I was told that not all roads were accessible by traffic, some houses had to be approached by somewhat indirect routes.

Rebe had a small, neat front garden with a path up to the front door and gravel on either side. To the rear was a small garden mainly laid to lawn. There was seating available outside.

The Environment (Internal)

The house had good sized rooms and accommodation over three floors.  The top room was occupied by the gentlemen I met who was happy for me to see his room. I was told that service users were encouraged to personalise and decorate their own rooms as they chose.  The bedrooms were of a good size and large enough to have a seating area as well as the bed.  Wifi and Sky were available to all service users. The gentleman had an en-suite bathroom with bath and shower over.  Della told me that each service user could choose either a bath or shower and the rooms would be altered accordingly.

I was told that a programme of decorations was carried out as required. There was evidence of flood damage to a ceiling just inside the back door; however, I was informed that this would be repaired as soon as the area had dried out.

Service users were able to lock their rooms and staff could only enter with permission if this was appropriate.

Downstairs was a good-sized, well-equipped kitchen with a dining area overlooking the back garden.  At the front of the house was a small sitting room for service users to share, although most preferred their own rooms.

The decorations were of fairly neutral colours and the walls were plain. One service user had very complex needs together with anxiety issues and had been quite destructive.  There was some evidence of damage, especially flooding; however I was told that she was starting to overcome her issues and the repairs would be carried out in the near future.

The Wider Environment

Gloucester is a small city in the South West of the country and has easy rail and road links to all major cities.  Any leisure interests could be easily catered for within a short distance and the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean were also a short car journey away.

I was told that the city is a thriving community and there was a lot of evidence of regeneration during the ride between Rebe and the railway station.  There is also a large new shopping mall in the city.

Understanding Autism

Service users moving into the service were transitioned at a pace which met their needs and could take place over a long time period if that was best for them.

Care plans were developed by the registered manager with information gathered from social workers, family members and the individuals themselves.  These were reviewed every six months.

Both the service users had full verbal skills and I was told had communication passports as part of their care plans.

Service users were consulted regarding all aspects of their lives.  This was confirmed by the young man who contributed answers at regular intervals to the questions I asked.  Activity programmes were based on the choices made by the service users. The gentleman told me he went to college where he did drama, writing and also went to a farm.  On the day of my visit he had just returned from walking a staff member’s dog.

I was told that both the service users needed support to access the community for their own safety although the support needed for carrying out their own personal care was less intense.

Health and Wellbeing

Both residents were registered with a local GP practice and I was informed that the support given was very good and account was taken of the anxieties experienced by people with autism.

Della informed me that her service had an excellent relationship with the Gloucester Learning Disabilities Team and had access to the full clinical team including psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists and the learning disabilities nurse.

Menus for the week were prepared every week with input from the two service users. They were encouraged to eat a healthy diet.

Medication was kept in a locked container held in the office which was also locked. All staff were trained in the administration and safe storage of drugs and also on the usage and side effects.  Boots the Chemist supplied the medication and audited the procedures at Rebe.

Individuals using the service

Both service users in residence at the time of my visit had very complex needs and a diagnosis of autism.  They both had good verbal communication.

The service was preparing to take a third service user in the near future, also with complex needs.

There were no specific cultural or religious requirements of the service users but I was told that any special needs could be supported if that situation changed.

Staffing

The staffing levels were determined by the needs of the service users. I was informed that the staff turnover was extremely low and the service had never had to have a recruitment drive as all staff had applied as result of hearing about the service from existing staff.

All staff must supply a minimum of two references, more if they had worked in previous care settings.  They must have a satisfactory DBS check.

Induction took the form of 3 days working with the registered manager; e-learning and shadowing experienced staff.  Subjects covered included autism awareness, fire safety, deprivation of liberty, mental capacity act amongst other subjects. All staff received an induction book to work through.

Any further training requested by staff would be considered.

All staff were expected to achieve NVQ level 3 and managers went on to achieve level 5.

I was told that staff supervisions were carried out by the registered manager every three months although any issues the staff may wish to raise could be discussed at any time.

A full range of policies and procedure were available for all staff to read and held in the office.

Management of the Home

Della Gilby is registered manager of Rebe which is a residential care service.  Staff supporting the service users are senior support workers.  Della operates an open door policy encouraging staff to discuss any issues with her.

Cardell Care owns the property and housing benefits were managed by the registered manager.

Service users were encouraged to make decisions about the running of the home and their own life choices.

I was told that any requests made by the service users were implemented where reasonable.

Conclusion

I would like to extend my thanks to Della, Becky for the time they spent with me during my visit.  It was good to see happy and contented service users in a homely environment.

I would also like to extend my thanks to the service user who spent time chatting to me. It was a pleasure to meet him.  I hope he continues to be happy in his home.

 

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Visiting Officer: Pat Clendining
Head of Assessments, Living Autism