Derby DCA is registered to provide personal care and support to people in their own homes and specialise in caring for younger adults with learning disabilities. 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. The service currently supports 15 people in properties within the community. 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.

The inspection took place on 17 January 2019 and was unannounced.

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.

People were protected from the risk of abuse at staff were aware of safeguarding practices. Risks to people were identified and managed appropriately, and accidents and incidents were recorded so lessons could be learnt and the quality of the service improved. Staff carried out safe infection control practices and medicines were stored and administered in line with best practice guidelines.

Pre- assessment were carried out before people moved in to the service to ensure that their needs could be met. Care plans and activities were also person centred.

There were a sufficient number of staff to meet people's needs and staff had received appropriate recruitment checks. Staff were up to date with mandatory training and received regular supervision. Communication between staff was effective. Staff respected people's privacy and dignity. People were treated in a kind, caring and respectful way by staff.

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 to make healthy informed choices around meal times and to be as independent as possible.

People were able to express their views and supported to make decisions around their care. Those people who wished to discuss their end of life wishes had them accurately recorded

People had access to healthcare professionals and specialist teams who were part of a person's review process. Feedback was gained from people, relative and staff on a regular basis in order to act on suggestions to improve the service. People felt the manager was approachable.

People and relatives knew how to raise a complaint if needed. Robust audits carried out the registered manager and quality team identified any issues in the service and these were resolved in a timely manner. There was a close partnership working with stakeholders and other organisations. The registered manager made the Commission aware of all notifiable incidents. These are events that the Commission should legally be made aware of so that we can monitor the level of risk at a service.

Derby DCA is registered to provide personal care and support to people in their own homes and specialise in caring for younger adults with learning disabilities. The inspection took place on 12 May 2016 and was announced. At the time of our inspection, three people were using the service.

Derby DCA had a registered manager in post. 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 were supported to take their medicines, however we found that medication records were not always completed correctly and when needed written protocols were not place.

People felt safe and were cared for by staff in way that promoted their dignity and met their needs. Staff knew how to identify and report concerns that affected people’s health and wellbeing.

People were supported to eat and drink to maintain a balanced diet. People had a variety of choice and any dietary requirements were met.

Staff reflected people’s wishes and preferences in the way they delivered care. Where people were able, they were involved in the planning of their care. They understood issues involved in supporting people who may not have capacity to make certain decisions about their care.

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

The manager reviewed untoward incidents and accidents and looked for opportunities to improve practices. There were systems in place for handling and resolving complaints.

People were support by staff that had been employed following appropriate recruitment checks that ensured they were safe to work in health and social care. Staff recruited had the right values and skills to work with people who used the service. Staff received training and support to deliver good quality care to people. There were enough staff to ensure all peoples needs were met and helped to keep people safe.

The registered manager demonstrated good leadership to the staff team. The registered manager and the provider undertook audits to assess the quality of the service.