The Huntingdon Supported Living Scheme is registered to provide the regulated activity of personal care, Care and support is provided to 12 people living in two bungalows (six people in each) There were 12 people receiving personal care from the service when we visited.

This announced inspection was carried out on 5 July 2017. At the last inspection on 10 April 2015 the service was rated as ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the service remained ‘Good’.

At the time of our inspection a registered manager was 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 Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and report on what we find. We found that people’s rights were being protected as applications were in progress where required and had been submitted to the relevant local authorities.

People were assisted by staff in a way that supported their safety and in a respectful manner. Health care and support plans in place continue to ensure that staff had guidance to meet people’s individual care needs. The care and support plans recorded people’s individual choices, their likes and dislikes and the assistance they required. Risks to people using the service were identified and assessed to enable people to live as safely and independently as possible.

Staff assisted people with personal care, their medicine, activities/hobbies, cooking and domestic tasks in a kind and cheerful and sensitive way.

Members of staff were trained to provide care which met people’s individual needs and wishes. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. They were supported by the registered manager to maintain and develop their skills and knowledge through regular supervision, appraisals and ongoing training.

People and their relatives felt able to raise any suggestions or concerns they might have with the registered manager. People felt listened to and reported that communication with the registered manager and members of staff were open and very good.

Arrangements continue to be in place to ensure that the quality of the service provided for people was regularly monitored. People who lived using the service and their relatives were encouraged to share their views and feedback about the quality of the care and support provided

Huntingdon Supported Living Scheme is registered to provide personal care to people living in two supported living premises. The service offers 24-hour support and care to people who have a learning disability. There were 11 people using the service when we visited.

The inspection took place on 10 April 2015 and we gave the provider 48-hours’ notice before we visited. This was the first inspection since the service was re-registered on 03 November 2014.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (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.

Staff were knowledgeable about reporting any abuse. There were a sufficient number of staff employed and recruitment procedures ensured that only suitable staff were employed. Risk assessments were in place and actions were taken to reduce these risks. Arrangements were in place to ensure that people were supported and protected with the safe management of medication.

The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. DoLS applications were being made to ensure that people’s rights were protected. Staff were supported and trained to do their job. People were supported to access a range of health care professionals and they were provided with opportunities to increase their levels of independence. Health risk assessments were in place to ensure that people were supported to maintain their health. People had adequate amounts of food and drink to meet their individual likes and nutritional and hydration needs.

People’s privacy and dignity were respected and their care and support was provided in a caring and a patient way.

People’s hobbies and interests had been identified and they were supported to take part in a range of activities that were meaningful to them. There were strong links with the local community. A complaints procedure was in place and complaints had been responded to the satisfaction of the complainant. People could raise concerns with the staff at any time.

The provider had quality assurance processes and procedures in place to improve, if needed, the quality and safety of people’s support and care. People and their relatives were able to make suggestions in relation to the support and care provided and staff acted on what they were told. A staff training and development programme was in place and procedures were in place to review the standard of staff members’ work performance.