'Incredible' care worker helps woman with autism overcome fear of hospitals

A care provider in London, which helped an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) overcome a fear of hospitals, has been rated 'outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Ealing based, Support for Living Domiciliary Care Agency, has been awarded the highest possible rating by the care watchdog, with inspectors praising the committed staff who have gone 'above and beyond'.

In the report they wrote: "Staff had an exceptional understanding of people’s needs and used their skills and experiences to support people in their daily lives. For example, a care worker used ‘social stories’ to help a person overcome their fear of attending a hospital appointment. The visit was successful and the individual received the necessary dental treatment as a result of the care staff's proactive and innovate work."

Social stories are written and developed in a specific way for people who have autism, to develop a greater understanding about a situation.

To develop the social story, a staff member created a video of the hospital building, the clinic and the staff to help prepare the individual for their visit.

A relative described the work undertaken as, "truly amazing," adding " the incredible social story and video helped prepare our relative for the hospital trip. It helped familiarise them with the new faces and surroundings, putting them at ease."

In the report, CQC inspectors also praised key workers who have helped people with complex behavioural needs to go on trips and outings independently. One individual was recently supported to travel for the first time in their life to watch a football match at their favourite club.

The staff member who had organised and facilitated the trip had also taken the individual to meet their sporting heroes Mo Farrah and Usain Bolt.

Support for Living Domiciliary Care Agency, part of national care provider Certitude, provides personal care to people with learning and physical disabilities as well as mental health needs. The setting was rated 'good' in its last inspection in November 2015.

Aisling Duffy, chief executive of provider Certitude, said: "Only two per cent of adult social care providers in England receive an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC and this award would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication and commitment of managers and staff at Certitude to ensure the support we provide every single day is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

"We have continued to invest in the quality of our support to people and families throughout this challenging period of funding for providers and commissioners.

"I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our amazing managers and staff, as well as people we support, their families and carers, who generously give their time to support Certitude’s continuous improvement and development."

Debbie Ivanova, CQC’s deputy chief inspector of adult social care, added: “Ealing’s Support for Living Domiciliary Care Agency has shown it has a management team and staff in place that work to high standards - and together have achieved an Outstanding overall rating for the agency providing excellent care”.

For more information on the report go to: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-299438034

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