This inspection took place on 15 and 17 November 2017. This was the first inspection of a service newly registered on 26 January 2017.

This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. The service was provided in one multiple occupation house that could support up to five people. Houses in multiple occupation are properties where at least three people in more than one household share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

The house has five individual bedrooms with shared lounge, dining, kitchen and bathing areas and a staff office. At the time of the inspection, a limited number of people were using the service.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager is also the registered provider.

People received a safe service. Systems were in place to minimise risk and to ensure that people were supported as safely as possible. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to ensure people were safe and what to do if they had any concerns or suspected any abuse. They were confident that the registered manager would address any concerns.

Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and to enable them to do be supported in a way that they wished.

People were treated with respect and their privacy and dignity was maintained. They were supported by a small, caring staff team who knew them well.

Systems were in place to ensure that people received their prescribed medicines safely. Medicines were administered by staff who were trained and assessed as being competent to do this.

Staff received the support and training they needed to give them the necessary skills and knowledge to meet people’s assessed needs, preferences and choices.

People were protected by the provider’s recruitment process, which ensured that staff were suitable to work with people who need support.

People were encouraged to develop their skills and to be as independent as possible. They were supported to carry out daily living activities such as shopping, cooking, cleaning and laundry.

Care records contained information about people’s assessments, needs, wishes, likes, dislikes and preferences.

The registered manager monitored the quality of service provided to ensure that people received a safe and effective service that met their needs and had positive outcomes.

People were encouraged to make choices and to have as much control as possible over what they did and how they were supported. Systems were in place to ensure that their human rights were protected.

Staff felt the registered manager was approachable and supportive and gave them clear guidance.