A care home in Reading which looks after people with autism and learning disabilities has been given a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission.

The home, 26 St Barnabas Road in Emmer Green, Caversham, caters for six adults living with learning disabilities, autism, and physical and sensory impairments.

Services provided at the home were assessed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which rated the care provided rated as ‘Good’ in all key areas following a recent inspection.

In a report on the visit published recently, assessors found that staff provided their clients with planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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The report states: “The staff and people had a positive relationship which was built on trust and compassion.

“People were treated with respect and dignity.

“Their abilities were celebrated and everyone was treated as equal.

“Activities were designed around people’s preferences and encouraged integration in the community.

“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.”

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Staff were also praised for managing any risks effectively.

The report states: “Risks were appropriately recorded and assessed highlighting when the risk was most likely to occur, and what action to take to prevent the risk from occurring. Details were also written on what action to take should the risk occur.

“People were kept at the forefront of each risk assessment, ensuring their desire to complete activities or tasks was not minimised as a result of an identified risk.

“Staff received training and had a comprehensive understanding of their duty of care to keep people safe from risk of harm and abuse.

“Staff were able to identify what action they would take including blowing the whistle.”

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Care at 26 St Barnabas Road is provided by Voyage 1 Ltd.

The ground floor contains three bedrooms, a purpose built wet room, a smoke room, a communal dining room and lounge with fully accessible gardens and kitchen.

The second floor accommodates has a further three bedrooms, a staff sleep in room and a communal bathroom.

The care home was also assessed to determine whether staff were effectively keeping the clients safe from coronavirus and other infections.

It was noted that the building was clean, hand sanitisation points in bathrooms were clean, accessible and fully stocked, and that managers knew how to effectively control and manage infections.

The care home was also praised for enacting a rigourous visitor policy and making sure any visitors were screened for COVID-19 before being allowed entry.

Amanda Griffiths, Director of Quality at Voyage Care, said: “Great care and support is at the heart of everything we do, however there can be no great care without safe care, which is why we’re delighted the CQC’s recent visit to 26 St Barnabas Road found the quality of care and support to be ‘Good’.

“It’s a reflection of the amazing work the team have done, continuing to deliver high quality, person-centred care and support despite the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The inspection took place on Tuesday, May 19 and the report was published on Saturday, April 30.