This inspection took place on 14 December 2017 and was unannounced. 98-100 Pembroke Avenue 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. 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. On the day of the inspection, seven people were living at the service across two semi-detached houses linked by a communal garden.

This is the first comprehensive inspection of the service since they registered with CQC in March 2017. Previously the service operated as two separate residential care homes under a different provider and at their last inspection in October 2014, both services were rated as ‘Good.’ Much of the management and staff team had been employed at the service prior to the change of provider.

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 had 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.

All staff had completed training in safeguarding adults and demonstrated an understanding of types of abuse to look out for and how to raise safeguarding concerns.

Detailed current risk assessments were in place for people using the service. Risk assessments in place were reviewed and updated regularly.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

There were systems in place to ensure medicines were handled and stored securely and administered to people safely and appropriately.

The home maintained adequate staffing levels to support people.

We saw friendly, caring and supportive interactions between staff and people and staff knew the needs and preferences of the people using the service. We received positive feedback from relatives regarding the continuity of care due to the long established staff and management team.

Care plans were detailed, person centred and reviewed regularly. A comprehensive pre-assessment was carried out with the involvement of health professionals and family members.

People had regular access to healthcare professionals such as doctors, dentists, chiropodists and opticians. People with a chronic health condition were supported to access specialist services.

We saw evidence of a comprehensive staff induction and on-going training programme. Staff had regular supervisions and annual appraisals. Staff were safely recruited with necessary pre-employment checks carried out.

People were supported to engage in regular activities and were supported to be independent.

Quality assurance processes were in place to monitor the quality of care delivered. Relatives and staff spoke positively of the overall service provision.