This inspection took place on 20 June 2018 and was unannounced. This is the first inspection for the location under this new provider.

Dimensions Somerset The Old Police House 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 Old Police House provides care and accommodation for up to eight 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. Five people were living in the home at the time of ¿our inspection.¿ Some of the people we met were able to 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.

People told us and indicated they felt safe living at The Old Police House. One relative told us, “If I didn’t think [the person] was safe I would remove them from the home.”

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.

However we did find that one person could be at risk of burns from water pipes in a cupboard they used should the pipes become hot. During the inspection the pipes were cold. The registered manager took immediate action to find them alternative storage. We also found that some staff had been shown different ways of carrying out a medical procedure. Following the inspection the registered manager confirmed they had arranged for up to date training for all staff.

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. However one member of staff had not completed the practical hoist training which meant they had to be supervised by other staff. Staff also received training about the specific needs people had for example, the safe management of epilepsy.

People who were able told us, and we saw, they were cared for by kind and caring staff some of whom went over and above what was expected of them. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity at all times. Relatives told us they were kept involved in the persons care and they could express an opinion about the care provided and contribute to their care plans.

People received responsive care and support which was personalised to their individual needs and wishes. There was clear guidance for staff on how to communicate with people and how to know when a person was not happy or distressed. The registered manager confirmed that they would only take peop