This inspection was unannounced and took place on 19 June 2017.

3 - 5 Kennet Way are two homes which provide residential care for up to three adults with mild to severe learning disabilities. Care is provided to those living with complex emotional and behavioural needs including Autism. Some people living at the service also had additional health conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy and brain injuries. 3 – 5 Kennet Way (to be referred to as the ‘the home’ throughout the report) comprises of two bungalows each with their own secure garden is situated in a residential setting in a village on the outskirts of Basingstoke. The homes gardens adjoin and both homes are accessible via a keypad coded garden gate. At the time of the inspection three people were using the service.

Care was provided by support workers who will be referred to as staff throughout the duration of this report.

3 - 5 Kennet Way has a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Relatives of people using the service told us they felt their family members were kept safe. Staff understood and followed the provider’s guidance to enable them to recognise and address any safeguarding concerns about people.

People’s safety was promoted because risks that may cause them harm had been identified and guidance provided to manage risks appropriately. People were assisted by staff who encouraged them to remain independent. Appropriate risk assessments were in place to keep people safe.

Recruitment procedures were completed to ensure people were protected from the employment of unsuitable staff. New staff induction training was followed by a period of time working with experienced colleagues to ensure they had the skills and confidence required to support people safely. There were sufficient staff employed to ensure that people’s individual needs were met.

People were supported by staff who had the most up to date training available to enable them to proactively meet people’s individual needs.

Contingency plans were in place to ensure the safe delivery of people’s care in the event of adverse situations such as large scale staff sickness or accommodation loss due to fire or flood.

People were protected from the unsafe administration of medicines. Staff responsible for administering medicines had received training to ensure people’s medicines were administered, stored and disposed of correctly. Staff skills in medicines management were regularly reviewed by the registered manager to ensure they remained competent to administer people’s medicines safely.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were encouraged and supported to eat and drink sufficiently in order to meet their needs and were able to make choices about what they eat and drank. Staff supported people to promptly see a range of healthcare professionals in order to maintain good health.

Staff sought people’s consent before delivering their care and support. Documentation showed people’s decisions to receive care had been appropriately assessed, respected and documented.

People were supported to eat and drink a balanced diet. People were involved in developing the home’s menus and were able to choose their meal preferences. We saw that people enjoyed what was provided. People were supported to participate in meal times with the guidance provided by health care professionals being followed. Records showed people’s food and drink preferences were documented in their care plans and were understood by staff.

People’