This inspection took place on 15 March 2017. This was an announced inspection and the provider was given 48 hours' notice. This was to ensure that someone would be available at the office to provide us with the necessary information. This was the first inspection of the service since it registered with Care Quality Commission in November 2015.

Action for Children provides short breaks for children with disabilities including autism. This includes activities with children in their home and within the community and personal care such as help with washing and dressing. At the time there were seven children using the service who received personal care.

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.

Procedures and policies relating to safeguarding people from harm were in place and accessible to staff. All staff had completed training in safeguarding children 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 all people using the service. Risk assessments explained the signs to look for when assessing the situation and the least restrictive ways of mitigating the risk based on the individual needs of the person.

There was a comprehensive staff induction for new employees and on-going training programme. Staff had regular monthly supervisions and annual appraisals. Staff were safely recruited with necessary pre-employment checks carried out.

Care plans were person centred and updated regularly. Care plans contained details of the child’s likes and dislikes, favourite pastimes and cultural and religious information.

Children were supported to be independent by attending regular activities and daytrips and relatives told us this had a positive impact on the child and their family life.

The service was registered to support children and young people under the age of 18. At the time of the inspection they were not supporting people over the age of 16 years, therefore the legal requirement to consider people’s mental capacity and ability to make decisions was not required.

The service had not received any complaints since it registered. There was a complaints procedure in place and relatives were confident that they could complain, if needed.

There were quality assurance measures in place to monitor quality of care provided and relatives had regular opportunities to provide feedback.