A respite care service supporting adults with physical and learning disabilities has been rated Good in every area following an assessment by the Care Quality Commission.

Inspectors found people received safe, kind and personalised care at Avalon Clarence Gardens, on Lawefield Lane.

They said staff demonstrated a good understanding of their individual needs, communication methods, preferences and routines.

Avalon Clarence Gardens received an overall rating of Good in an assessment report.

All five key areas – safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led – were also rated Good.

The service provides respite care for up to four adults, with three people receiving support at the time of the assessment.

Relatives praised the support provided. One told inspectors: “They keep [person] safe, absolutely 100 per cent.”

Another described the respite service as “a godsend” which had “changed everything for us as a family”.

The report said: “Staff treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity.”

Staff were found to take time over care, encourage independence and adapt their approach to people's individual communication needs.

Care plans and risk assessments were detailed and regularly reviewed.

Staff were also able to recognise changes in people's health and wellbeing and involve other healthcare professionals when needed.

However, the assessment identified some areas where improvements were needed.

Although inspectors found there were enough staff to meet people's needs, vacancies were being covered by agency workers during a retendering process.

Some staff said this could create pressure because agency workers were unable to administer medicines.

There was also mixed feedback about whether staffing levels always allowed people to enjoy planned outings.

One relative told inspectors: “On the weekends there's not enough staff to take [Person] out into the community and it's their mini break too.”

Staff also acknowledged that some trips had to be cut short because of staffing pressures.

Inspectors also identified improvements needed in medicines documentation and oversight.

Information about a person's feeding-tube flush arrangements needed updating, while allergy information was missing from the medicines records for two of the four people reviewed.

The missing information was added during the assessment.

Inspectors praised the leadership of the service, describing managers as visible, approachable and responsive.

Staff said they felt supported and able to raise concerns.