49 Stolford Rise provides 24 hour care and support for a maximum of three younger adults with a high functioning autistic spectrum disorder. The house is located in a residential area in Milton Keynes. At the time of our inspection there were three people using the service.

At the last inspection on 19 November 2015 the service was rated Good.

At this inspection on 07 November 2017 we found the service remained Good.

There was 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 continued to feel safe. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities to safeguard people from the risk of harm and risks to people were assessed and monitored regularly. The premises were appropriately maintained to support people to stay safe. Staff understood how to prevent and manage behaviours that the service may find challenging.

Staffing levels ensured that people's care and support needs were safely met and safe recruitment processes were in place. Medicines were managed safely. The processes in place ensured that the administration and handling of medicines was suitable for the people who used the service. Systems were in place to ensure the premises was kept clean and hygienic so that people were protected by the prevention and control of infection. There were arrangements in place for the service to make sure that action was taken and lessons learned when things went wrong, to improve safety across the service

People’s needs and choices were assessed and their care provided in line with up to date guidance and best practice. They received care from staff that had received training and support to carry out their roles. People were encouraged to prepare their own meals and make health choices to maintain their health and well-being. Staff supported people to book and attend appointments with healthcare professionals, and supported them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The service worked with other organisations to ensure that people received coordinated and person-centred care and support.

People’s diverse needs were met by the adaptation, design and decoration of premises and they were involved in decisions about the environment. Staff demonstrated their understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, 2005 (MCA) and they gained people's consent before providing personal care.

Staff were caring and compassionate and meaningful relationships had developed between people and staff. People were treated with dignity and respect and staff ensured their privacy was maintained. People were encouraged to make decisions about how their care was provided staff had a good understanding of people's needs and preferences.

People were listened to, their views were acknowledged and acted upon and care and support was delivered in the way that people chose and preferred. Care plans were person centred and reflected how people’s needs were to be met. Records showed that people and their relatives were involved in the assessment process and the on-going reviews of their care. They were supported to take part in activities which they wanted to do, within the service and the local community. There was a complaints procedure in place to enable people to raise complaints about the service.

The service had an open culture which encouraged communication and learning. People, relatives and staff were encouraged to provide feedback about the service and it was used to drive continuous improvement. Staff were motivated to perform their roles and worked to empower people to be as independent as possible. The provider had quality assurance systems to review the quality of the service to help drive improvement.

People who use the service were given appropriate information and support regarding their support and care. They expressed their views and were involved in making decisions about their care and treatment. Their interests had been taken into account. People were supported in promoting their independence and community involvement.

People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs. However the delivery of care was not always based on an up to date care plan or risk assessment for the person using the service. People using the service told us the care and support provided at the home was good and that they got on well with staff who were helpful and listened to them.

People who use the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening.

There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs at all times. Staff had received a wide range of training during the last year and had regular supervision.

There was an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive. A programme of regular audits is undertaken with action taken to remedy any areas for improvement.

People said basic care provision at the home was excellent; staff were approachable and quality of life at the home was good. People said they continue to attend appointments related to their health and social needs. One person said he had met with his social worker in February 2011 to review his care provision.

One person said he had been involved in and agreed his care plans and risk assessments; had twice yearly care reviews involving his social worker and parents.

People said they had attended residents meetings at the home and concerns raised had been noted and acted upon.

People said they could access a range of activities, go out for day trips and went on family holidays. One person said he had completed a course at college; another person said that he could go out alone as long as he notified the homes staff.

People said the home was clean and well maintained; one person said occasionally toilet plungers were dirty.

This inspection took place on 19 October 2015 and was unannounced.

49 Stolford Rise is a residential care home which provides care and support for up to three people with high functioning autism. The service supports people to live as independently as possible, helping them with daily living tasks and accessing the community. At the time of our visit there were three people living at the service.

There was 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 safe in the service. They were protected from harm or neglect by staff who were knowledgeable about abuse and potential indicators of it. There were systems in place to ensure staff were able to report suspected abuse, and staff were familiar with these.

Risks to people were assessed and control measures were put in place to reduce the chances that harm may be caused.

Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and keep them safe from harm or abuse. Safe recruitment practices were followed when employing staff.

Medicines were ordered, stored, administered and recorded appropriately.

There was sufficient training and updates in place for staff. They received regular support from the registered manager, including regular formal supervisions.

Staff gained people’s consent before providing them with care. People were encouraged to make their own decisions and the service followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were encouraged to prepare their own meals and to have as healthy a diet as possible.

Staff supported people to book and attend appointments with healthcare professionals, and supported them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

There were meaningful relationships between people and staff.

People contributed to the planning and review of their care and their plans were reflective of their views and opinions.

People’s privacy and dignity were respected by staff.

The service provided people with person-centred care, which was reflective of their changing needs and goals. Care was in accordance with people’s expressed wishes and targets.

People were supported to take part in activities which they wanted to do, in the service and the local community.

Feedback was sought from people and those important to them, such as family members. This was used to help identify areas for development at the service.

The service had a positive and open culture. Staff were motivated to perform their roles and worked to empower people to be as independent as possible.

There was good leadership in place. People and staff felt well supported by the registered manager.

Quality checks and audits were completed to ensure people were cared for appropriately and safely.