The Breightmet Centre for Autism is rated inadequate and placed in special measures following CQC inspection

The Breightmet Centre for Autism is an independent hospital ran by ASC Healthcare Limited. The centre provides support to adults with a learning disability or autistic people and takes admissions from across the country.

The service was first placed in special measures in June 2019 and was removed from special measures following an inspection in November 2020 where improvements had been made and the service was rated as good overall.

CQC’s latest inspection in March was carried out in response to safety concerns raised about the care and treatment of people using the service. Following this inspection, the service was rated as inadequate and placed in special measures.

The service was also rated inadequate for being safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Debbie Ivanova, CQC’s director for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, said:

“When inspectors returned to The Breightmet Centre for Autism, they were disappointed to see a significant decline in the quality of care being provided to people with a learning disability and autistic people.

“We found that the support and treatment given did not meet people’s needs and aspirations. Care did not focus on people’s quality of life or follow best practice and audits undertaken did not reflect the quality of care given.

“It was concerning that many staff were not suitably skilled or trained to work with people with a learning disability or autistic people. This led to people receiving limited support with making choices and having control over their own lives. People weren’t supported to input into their care plans and weren’t empowered to take part in activities which were part of their planned care and support.

“Feedback from families and carers about the quality of the service was poor. They told us they’d all had issues with communication and that the service didn’t provide updates or respond to emails or phone calls.

“They also described staff as being defensive when issues were raised and said they were made to feel unwelcome on the wards.

“The service has been placed in special measures and is being supported to make the required improvements by the wider system, including the local clinical commissioning group.

“Inspectors will continue to monitor service closely to ensure people are safe. If we are not assured people are receiving safe care, we will not hesitate to take further action.”

Findings from the latest inspection included:

• The service did not have enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe.
• Staff did not follow infection control precautions that were required to minimise and control the spread of infections.
• People were not supported to be independent and have control over their own lives.
• Comprehensive reviews were not completed to identify and reduce all restrictive practices in the service.
• People did not make choices and take part in activities which were part of their planned care and support. Staff did not support them to achieve their goals.
• The mandatory training and induction programmes were basic, and the service had not identified all training courses needed to meet the needs of autistic people and staff. Many staff had no prior experience of working with autistic people.

However:

• Autistic people’s care and support was provided in a clean, well equipped, well-furnished and well-maintained environment which met people's sensory and physical needs.
• Managers had ensured that staff, including regular agency and bank, had regular supervision and appraisal.
• Advocates were actively involved in reviewing autistic people’s care.
• Staff understood their roles and responsibilities under the Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010, Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The full report will be published on CQC's website on Wednesday 17 August.