This was our first ratings inspection of Aspirations (Midlands). The visit was announced and was carried out on 19 and 20 December 2017. The provider was given notice because the location provides a domiciliary care and supported living service. We needed to be sure that someone would be in the location office in Nottingham from where the service is managed.

Aspirations (Midlands) provided personal care for people with learning disabilities and mental health needs living in both their own homes and in their own 'supported living' homes in and around the Nottingham and Mansfield areas. There were 44 people receiving support when we inspected.

A registered manager was 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.

People told us they felt safe using Aspirations (Midlands) and felt safe with the staff team who provided their care and support. Relatives we spoke with agreed that their relatives were safe with the staff team who supported them.

Training on the safeguarding of adults had been completed and the staff team were aware of their responsibilities for keeping people safe from avoidable harm or abuse. The registered manager and management team understood their responsibilities for keeping people safe and knew to refer any concerns on to the local authority and Care Quality Commission (CQC).

People’s support needs had been identified and risks associated with people’s care had been assessed and monitored. There were arrangements in place to make sure action was taken and lessons learned when things went wrong, to improve safety across the service.

The appropriate checks had been carried out for people wishing to join the staff team. Once employed, support workers had been provided with an induction into the service and relevant training had been completed.

People felt there were enough staff members suitably deployed to meet their current care and support needs. Staffing rotas reflected appropriate numbers of staff were available.

The staff team had received training in the management of medicines. People were supported with their medicines as prescribed by their GP and in a safe way.

People were protected by the prevention and control of infection. The staff team had received training in infection control and understood their responsibilities around this. Food hygiene training had also been completed and the appropriate procedures were understood by staff when food was to be prepared and stored.

People were supported by a staff team who had the knowledge and skills to deliver effective care and support.

People were supported to access relevant healthcare services such as doctors and community nurses when needed and they were supported to maintain good health. The staff team supported people to eat a balanced and healthy diet which included people’s preferences.

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.

People were supported by a staff team that was kind and caring and who treated them with dignity and respect. People were supported to make choices about their care and support and their independence was promoted.

Plans of care had been developed with the people using the service and with people who knew them well. The staff team understood people’s needs and preferences because they had read their plans of care.

People were supported to follow their interests and take part in activities they enjoyed.

People knew what to do if they had a concern and they were reminded of this through meetings and conversations with the staff team.

People’s views