Working at Lower St Helens

Staff numbers are ok but some agency workers were used while recruiting and relatives felt short staffed at times.

Relatives... two said they felt the home did not have enough staff. They were aware that the service had recently been trying to recruit staff. There had been some use of agency staff (2017).

Only standard training like safeguarding and autism awareness with appraisals, no specialist courses or funded qualifications.

Staff followed a programme of induction and further training... such as safeguarding people, equality and diversity, autism awareness... system of meetings and yearly appraisals (2017).

Activities like swimming and cooking make the job varied but no dedicated coordinator or special innovative programmes.

People were supported to access a range of activities, such as pottery, outdoor activities, cooking, swimming, health and beauty, and college courses. Staff had weekly meetings (2017).