Footprints provide care and support to children and young people with disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, and other genetic and complex conditions. It is located in the rural area of Stodmarsh, near Canterbury and has extensive gardens which incorporate a woodland walk, playground and vegetable garden. The service is dual registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and OFSTED. At the time of the inspection there were two young people living at Footprints.

There was a registered manager employed at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 was responsible for the day to day control of the service.

People were protected from the risks of abuse, discrimination and avoidable harm. Staff knew how to report any concerns and felt confident that action would be taken. People’s money was safely managed.

Risks were assessed, identified, reduced and monitored. Action was taken by staff to keep people as safe as possible. When people needed specialist equipment this was regularly checked to make sure it was safe to use. The premises were maintained to keep people safe.

People were supported by sufficient number of trained staff who knew them and their preferences well. There were contingency plans to cover any unexpected staff absences. Recruitment checks were completed to make sure staff were honest, reliable and safe to work with people.

People received their medicines on time. Medicines were stored, managed and disposed of safely. Staff were trained to support people with their medicines.

People received effective care from staff who were trained and supervised to carry out their roles. New staff shadowed experienced colleagues to get to know people and their preferred routines.

Staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act. Meetings were held with the relevant parties to make decisions in people’s best interest. Consent and agreement had not been formalised when people had restraints in place, like bed rails or wheelchair lap straps.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care services. These safeguards protect the rights of people using services by ensuring that if there are any restrictions to their freedom and liberty, these have been agreed by the local authority as being required to protect the person from harm. DoLS applications had been made to the relevant supervisory body in line with guidance

People were supported to have a balanced diet. People were involved in decisions about what they ate. Staff monitored people’s nutritional needs to help them stay healthy. Risks to people with complex eating and drinking needs were identified and monitored.

People were supported to maintain good health. Staff worked closely with health professionals, such as GPs and community nurses, and followed advice given to them.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. People looked happy and smiled at staff. Staff knew people and their families well. People’s needs, preferences, likes and dislikes were recorded.

Staff used different ways to communicate with people and were patient, giving them time to respond at their own pace.

People’s privacy and dignity were both promoted and maintained by staff. Staff spoke with people and each other in a respectful way. People’s religious beliefs and cultural needs were discussed and recorded.

People’s loved ones were able to visit when they wanted and there were no restrictions on this.

People’s preferences and choices for their end of life care were discussed and clearly recorded. People had access to support from specialist palliative