This inspection took place between 13 and 21 November 2018. The inspection was announced.

We contacted the service on 12 November 2018 to give notice of our visit on 13 November 2018 because this is a small service and we needed to ensure someone would be available to speak with us.

This was the first inspection of the service since it was registered in November 2017.

This service provides care and support to people living in two ‘supported living’ settings including a house with multiple occupation, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. Houses in multiple occupation are properties where at least three people in more than one household share communal areas. There are also facilities for staff to sleep in at night.

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. It provides a service to adults who have a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. There were 4 people receiving regulated activity at the time we carried out our inspection.

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.

There was a registered manager responsible for the day-to-day management of the service. 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.

We found that the auditing and quality monitoring systems that were in place that allowed the service to demonstrate it was safe and well managed had not been consistently monitored. The registered manager had been absent for a period and the arrangements for the oversight of the service by the registered provider had only recently identified this.

There were sufficient numbers of suitable staff to meet people's needs. Induction training was comprehensive and training was on going. Staff were supported by the registered manager and senior staff through regular staff meetings, supervision and appraisals.

When employing fit and proper persons the recruitment procedures had included all the required checks of suitability.

Hazards to people's safety had been identified and appropriately managed.

People's dignity and privacy were actively promoted by the staff supporting them.

People received care from a team of staff who they knew well and treated them with respect.

Relatives we spoke with made very positive comments about the service provided and the staff who supported them and told us they would recommend the service to others.

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 received the support they needed to take their medicines safely. The staff identified if people were unwell and supported them to contact health professionals.

Further information is in the detailed findings below