All residents are regularly assessed, with assessments reviewed at quarterly and annual intervals. Full collaboration with family, carers and Case Managers is expected with consultation over major lifestyle decisions encouraged prior to, and during the review cycle. Weekly resident meetings are held for those who can benefit from this. In addition to the above, individual personal support sessions are offered to all to ensure their emotional well-being. Those residents who require additional support in communicating their needs are helped to use signing approaches, e.g. Makaton.
Ongoing training is maintained on a regular basis.
The Northamptonshire Service achieved full accreditation with the NAS accreditation programme in March 2000, which will assure autism-specific standards. The Service will work to these standards in its performance. The NAS Headquarters in London supplies personal advice, information, financial and IT support including auditing. The NAS Services office in Bristol supplies operational line management support and Resident Contracts Manager, to assure infrastructure support. Operational policies for new units are introduced from established services, reducing the possibility of inadequate planning or anticipation of resident or staff management issues.