This inspection took place on 3 and 4 April 2018 and was un-announced.

We carried out an un-announced comprehensive inspection of this service in August 2017. After that inspection we received concerns in relation to an incident following which a person using the service died. We also received some other concerns from the local authority. As a result, we carried out a comprehensive inspection to look in to those concerns.

Aspirations (Northampton) provides care and support to people with learning disabilities living in ‘supported living’ settings, 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 . At the time of inspection, 35 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.

A registered manager was in post, but was not available on the day of our inspection. 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.

People told us they felt safe, and staff had an understanding of abuse and the safeguarding procedures that should be followed to report abuse. People had risk assessments in place to cover any risks that were present within their lives, but also enable them to be as independent as possible. All the staff we spoke with were confident that any concerns they raised would be followed up appropriately by their manager.

Staffing levels were adequate to meet people's current needs.

The staff recruitment procedures ensured that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out to ensure only suitable staff worked at the service. References and security checks completed as required.

Staff attended induction training where they completed mandatory training courses and were able to shadow more experienced staff giving care. All new staff were taking part in the Care Certificate which teaches the fundamental standards within care. On-going training was offered to staff and mandatory areas of training were kept up to date.

Staff supported people with the administration of medicines, and were trained to do so.

Staff were trained in infection control, and told us they had the appropriate personal protective equipment to perform their roles safely. We saw that staff had reported any concerns they had around infection control within people’s homes to management, who had then acted appropriately.

Staff were well supported by the manager and senior team, and had one to one meet ups, spot checks and observations.

People's consent was gained before any care was provided and the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were met.

People were able to choose the food and drink they wanted and staff supported people with this, and people could be supported to access health appointments when necessary.

Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them and their specific needs and wishes. People told us they were happy with the way that staff spoke to them, and provided their care in a respectful and dignified manner.

People were involved in their own care planning and were able to contribute to the way in which they were supported. Care planning was personalised and mentioned people’s likes and dislikes, so that staff understood their needs fully. People told us they felt in con

This inspection took place on 16 and 18 August 2017 and was announced. ‘Aspirations (Northampton)’ provides personal care for people with learning disabilities living in their own ‘supported living’ homes in the community. There were 45 people receiving a 24hr support service when we inspected.

At the last inspection on 6 and 22 July 2015, the service was rated 'Good'. At this inspection we found the service remained 'Good'.

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’s needs were safely met. There were sufficient numbers of staff available to meet people’s needs in a timely way. Staff had received training to provide them with the skills and knowledge they needed to provide people with safe care. Assessments were in place and appropriately acted upon to reduce and manage the risks to people’s health and welfare.

People were protected from the risks associated with the recruitment of staff by robust recruitment systems and the provision of appropriate training to all new recruits. Staff understood the importance of protecting people from abuse and avoidable harm. They were aware of the actions they needed to take to report any concerns about people’s safety or well-being.

People received support from a staff team that were caring, friendly, and responsive to people’s changing needs. They were able to demonstrate that they understood what was required of them to provide each individual with the person centred support they needed to live fulfilling lives as independently as possible. People were treated with dignity and their right to make choices about how they preferred their care to be provided was respected. People’s rights were protected.

People’s care and support took into account their individuality and their diverse needs. Their needs were assessed prior to taking up the service and their agreed care plans reflected people’s needs and preferences in relation to the care provided.

People were supported to eat a healthy diet and to have access to health services in the community to improve their health and well-being. The staff followed the advice of healthcare professionals in meeting people’s needs. Staff ensured that people that required support to manage their medicines received their medicines as prescribed.

People benefitted from a service that was appropriately managed so that they received their service in a timely and reliable way. People knew how to raise concerns and complaints and the provider had appropriate policies and procedures in place to manage such eventualities. There were also systems in place to assess and monitor the on-going quality of the service. People’s views about the quality of their service were sought and acted upon.

This unannounced inspection took place on the 6 and 22 July 2015. Aspirations (Northampton) provide personal care and supported living for people living with learning disabilities in their own homes. There were 46 people receiving personal care during this inspection.

There was a registered manager 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 received their care and support from sufficient numbers of staff that had been appropriately recruited and had the training to provide safe care. People’s care plans were individualised and had been completed with the involvement of staff, advocates and family that knew them well. People’s care and support took into account their individuality and their diverse needs.

People’s care needs and any associated risks were assessed before they used the service. Risks were regularly reviewed and, where appropriate, acted upon with the involvement of other professionals so that people were kept safe. People’s medicines were appropriately managed and safely stored.

People were supported by staff that received the managerial guidance they needed to do their job. Staff were suitably supported to carry out their roles.

Staff had the training and acquired skills they needed to support people with challenging behaviours to enable them to take part in activities in the community. People were supported to maintain their links with the community and with significant others, such as friends and relatives. People were supported in a practical and emotional way during times of change.

People were supported to have enough to eat and drink to help protect them from the potential adverse effects of poor nutrition and people’s healthcare needs were met.

Appropriate and timely action was taken to address people’s complaints or dissatisfaction with the service provided. There were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service.