Fortis Care North London provide supported living services including personal care and support to people with a learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder or a mental health condition. 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. Currently the service provides support to three people.

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.

This was the first inspection of the service that was registered with CQC in March 2017.

The service 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.

There was good overall feedback about the service, from people using it and their relatives. We found people were treated with kindness and compassion, and that they were given emotional support when needed. The service ensured people's privacy and dignity was respected and promoted.

People’s needs were identified and responded to well. The service was effective at working in co-operation with other organisations to deliver good care and support. This included where people’s needs had changed, and where people needed ongoing healthcare support.

The support staff we spoke with demonstrated a good knowledge of people’s care needs, significant people and events in their lives, and their daily routines and preferences. They also understood the provider’s safeguarding procedures and could explain how they would protect people if they had any concerns.

Staff told us they enjoyed working in the service. Staff knew people well, they were able to recognise and avoid triggers which could have provoked behaviours which were challenging to manage. People`s physical and mental health needs were monitored and reviewed regularly by staff, psychiatrists and health and social care professionals.

Staff were trained and skilled to ensure they had the abilities and knowledge to understand and meet people`s needs at all times. Newly employed staff had comprehensive induction training, they were given time to learn about people`s mental health and physical needs. The registered manager allocated key workers for people after they analysed and assessed people`s and staff`s personalities, cultural needs and skills to ensure a good relationship between them.

Person centred care was fundamental to the service and staff made sure people were at the centre of their practice. Care plans focused on the whole person, and assessments and plans were updated when required.

People and their relatives told us they were happy with the service their lives were improved after they moved into their homes. They were confident to raise concerns and discuss with management and staff if they had any issues.

The registered manager had a good understanding of people’s specific needs and they accepted new people into the service after a thorough assessment. They ensured people were familiar with at least one staff member before they moved in their flats.

There were sufficient numbers of experienced and skilled staff to meet people`s needs safely at all times. However, we found that Recruitment practices were not always safe and relevant checks had not always been completed before staff worked at the service

People’s medicines were managed appropriately so they received them safely.

The service was meeting the requirements of the Dep