9 Allenby Road is a 4 bedroom, 24-hour respite service for younger and older adults with learning disabilities. Some people who use the service may also have additional complex physical disabilities or sensory needs. The service is located in a residential part of Maidenhead, Berkshire near a community day centre. Nursing care from agency registered nurses is provided at night to a small number of people who stay at the service.

The service was required to have a registered manager.

At the time of the inspection, there was 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

This was our first inspection of the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This was because the provider of the service changed in April 2017.

People who used the service were safe. They were protected from abuse and neglect during their stay. Staff ensured that care risks were appropriately assessed, documented and mitigated. Risks from the building and grounds were also satisfactorily managed. There were enough staff deployed to maintain safe support for people. Fit and proper persons were employed. People’s medicines were managed correctly.

Staff received appropriate support to perform their roles. The service was compliant with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. We found there was enough food and drinks available and provided to people.

The service was caring. People’s dignity and privacy was respected. Confidential personal information was protected in line with the relevant legislation. People, where possible, and relatives were involved in care planning and review.

We found care plans were person-centred and contained appropriate details. People’s preferences, wishes and dislikes were identified and documented. Staff helped people to have an active life in the community. We made a recommendation about staff communication with people.

There was a good workplace culture at 9 Allenby Road. The management team and staff worked well together to provide good care to people who used the service. A small number of checks and audits were conducted to assess the safety and quality of care provided. At our inspection, we found the service met all regulatory requirements.