The inspection visit at Coniston House took place on 24 October 2017 and was announced. The registered provider was given notice because it was a small supported living service. We needed to be sure people in the office and people the service supported would be available to speak to us.

Coniston House is a supported housing scheme for adults with severe and enduring mental health problems. The property comprises of six bed-sit flats in a quiet area, close to local amenities and bus route to the town centre. Communal areas include the kitchen / dining area, lounge, laundry, conservatory and large garden with patio area. The service is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days a week. The location is registered to provide accommodation for persons who require personal care. We had not previously inspected the service.

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.

During this inspection, we found staffing levels were regularly reviewed to ensure people were safe. There was an appropriate skill mix of staff to ensure the needs of people who were supported were met.

Staff received training related to their role and were knowledgeable about their responsibilities. We noted training around people’s specific needs were delivered. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and support needs.

Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report any unsafe care or abusive practices related to the safeguarding of adults. Staff we spoke with told us they were aware of the safeguarding procedure.

The registered provider had ensured risks to individuals had been assessed and measures put in place to minimise such risks. A comprehensive plan was in place in case of emergencies which included detail about how each person should be supported in the event of an evacuation.

The provider had recruitment and selection procedures to minimise the risk of inappropriate employees working with vulnerable people. Checks had been completed prior to any staff commencing work at Coniston House. This was confirmed from discussions with staff.

Staff responsible for administering medicines were trained to ensure they were competent and had the required skills. There were appropriate arrangements for storing medicines safely.

People and their representatives told us they were involved in their care and had discussed and consented to their care. We found staff had an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People we spoke with told us they were happy with the support given to ensure they received adequate nutrition and hydration.

We found people had access to healthcare professionals and their healthcare needs were met. We saw the registered provider had liaised with healthcare providers and responded promptly when people had experienced mental and physical health problems.

A complaints procedure was available and people we spoke with said they knew how to complain. People and staff spoken with felt the registered manager was accessible, supportive and approachable.

Comments we received demonstrated people were satisfied with their care. The management and staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities. They were committed to providing a good standard of care and support to people.

Care plans were organised and identified the care and support people required. We found they were informative about care people had received. They had been kept under review and updated when necessary to reflect people’s changing needs.

People told us they were happy with the support they received