We were introduced to the four people who were clients at Elmham Way on the day of our inspection. People told us how they felt well supported with their mental health needs by the staff team and the manager. We were told “They help me do my washing, take my medicines on time and they have even been trying to help me get some sort of employment”. “The staff are good here to be honest, they are there if you need them”.

People were observed to be treated with respect and were supported in their rehabilitation from long term mental health problems. We met people who were at Elmham Way for treatment on an informal basis. We also met people who were detained under a section of the Mental Health Act. This meant the Mental Health Act was used to gain legal permission to give people compulsory assessment or treatment. We found people under a section were properly supported. We also found that their legal rights were being upheld.

Elmham Way, in line with Avon and Wiltshire Partnership Trust’s other locations use an online care planning system. People’s care plan records explained what support they needed to meet their mental health needs. People were being supported to stay safe with informative risk assessments records written about them. We saw that care plans were being reviewed and updated. Staff told us they found the system difficult to use to update the care plans. This may impact on staff’s understanding of people’s care needs. The Trust told us that they carry out weekly audits to ensure all care plans are kept up to date.

People under a section were helped to understand their treatment regime, as well as the reasons why it had been decided they must stay at Elmham Way .This would be for their safety and /or the safety of others.

People were cared for by staff with an understanding of complex mental health needs. People received care from staff who had a good awareness of the support and treatment they needed.

The staff had done training to help them to understand how to keep people safe from abuse. Staff were clear about who to report an allegation of abuse to within their own organisation. There was a lack of clarity about the other organisations, such as the local authority safeguarding role and responsibilities and when they might need to be involved.

There were systems in place to review and learn from all critical incidents and occurrences that may have impacted on people’s health and wellbeing. The quality of treatment and the service people received was being effectively monitored and reviewed at Elmham Way.