A LEARNING disability team based alongside a scandal-hit unit where a teenager died has been praised by inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) praised Oxford West and North domiciliary care agency, based at Slade House, Horspath Driftway.

It is run by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, which also operates two residential units at Slade House that were closed to admissions last year. The latest report said the care agency met all standards it was inspected on.

These were consent, care and welfare, medicines management, requirements relating to workers, supporting workers, and assessing services.

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The service is provided by the social care arm of the trust, TQ Twentyone, and works in the community to support 172 people.

Its report said: “People were cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

“We found that people were protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.”

A report said the July 2013 death of Connor Sparrowhawk at Slade House’s Short Term Assessment and Treatment Team unit (STATT) was avoidable. It is believed the Headington youngster, 18, drowned in the bath after an epileptic fit.

An independent investigation said his death could have been prevented with more frequent checks and better overall assessments.

The death sparked an Oxfordshire County Council review into all learning disability services in the county. John Sharich House at Slade House also closed after concerns from the CQC.

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