This inspection took place on 12 and 19 July 2018 and was unannounced. This is the first inspection for the location under this new provider.

Dimensions Somerset The Maples is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Dimensions Somerset The Maples provides care and accommodation for up to six people who ¿have a learning disability and other complex health needs. It is operated by Dimensions Somerset ¿Sev Limited, part of a national not for profit organisation providing services for people with ¿learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. Six people were living in the home at the time of ¿our inspection. ¿ Some of the people we met could verbally communicate with us and others were not. Their opinions were captured through observations, interactions they had with staff and their reactions.

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.

At the time of the inspection there was a registered manager in place. 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.

The registered manager and staff went above and beyond what was expected of them to ensure people received care and support in a caring, respectful and dignified way. Even with limited verbal communication people could express an opinion about the care provided and contributed to their care plans.

People indicated they felt safe living at The Maples. One relative told us, “I know [the person] is safe living here, the staff and manager are brilliant.”

There were processes and practices in place to keep people safe. The provider had a robust recruitment programme which meant all new staff were checked to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable people. All staff had received training in safeguarding vulnerable people and children. All staff spoken to were able to tell us what they would look for and how they would report anything they thought put people at risk of harm or abuse.

People received effective care and support from staff who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. All staff attended an induction which included the companies’ mandatory training before they started to work with people. Staff also received training about the specific needs people had for example, the safe management of epilepsy. The registered manager had also arranged training for staff in recognising why people’s behaviour can challenge or be expressive. This meant staff could recognise the reasons behind the needs of a specific person.

People received responsive care and support which was personalised to their individual needs and wishes. Staff were innovative in finding ways to improve people’s lives and help them to achieve their goals and expectations. People were very active in the local community and because of the approach taken by staff people were beginning to be respected by the local community. There was clear guidance for staff on how to communicate with people and how to know when a person was not happy or distressed. People were supported to access health care services and see healthcare professionals when necessary.

People were supported by a team that was well led. Everybody spoken to said they thought the service was well led. Staff, relatives and health professionals spoke highly of th