This was an unannounced inspection and took place on the 17 May 2017.

The service provides care and support for people who may have a learning disability, a mental health condition or physical disabilities. Some people living at the home displayed behaviours that were challenging to others and required interventions from staff to keep them and others safe. Some people could not speak with us due to their difficulty in communicating effectively.

There is a registered manager at Hurstville Drive. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

Record showed the provider monitored incidents where behaviours challenged and responded promptly by informing the local authority safeguarding team, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), behavioural support team and advocacy agencies.

Staff were knowledgeable about the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and worked with advocacy agencies, healthcare professionals and family members to ensure decisions made in people’s best interests were reached and documented appropriately

People were not unlawfully deprived of their liberty without authorisation from the local authority. Staff were knowledgeable about the deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) in place for people and accurately described the content detailed in people’s authorisations.

People were protected from possible harm. Staff were able to identify the different signs of abuse and were knowledgeable about the homes safeguarding processes and procedures. They consistently told us they would contact CQC and the local authority if they felt someone was at risk of abuse. Notifications sent to CQC and discussions with the local authority safeguarding team confirmed this.

Staff received training appropriate to people’s needs and were regularly monitored by a senior member of staff to ensure they delivered effective care.

Staff interacted with people and showed respect when they delivered care. Healthcare professionals consistently told us staff engaged with people effectively and encouraged people to participate in activities. People’s records documented their hobbies, interests and described what they enjoyed doing in their spare time.

Records showed staff supported people regularly to attend various health related appointments. Examples of these included visits to see the GP, hospital appointments and assessments with other organisations such as the community mental health team.

People received support that met their needs because staff regularly involved them in reviewing their care plans. Records showed reviews took place on a regular basis or when someone’s needs changed.

The service had an open culture where people told us they were encouraged to discuss what was important to them. We consistently observed positive interaction between staff and people.

Hurstville Drive is registered to provide accommodation and support for up to 5 younger people who have learning disabilities. The home is not registered to provide nursing care. On the day of our visit 4 people were living at the home. The home is located in a residential area in Waterlooville Hampshire. The home has a large living room, dining area and kitchen. People’s private rooms are on both the ground and first floors. The home has an adapted minibus to enable people to access the community.

The inspection on 13 and 14 July 2015 was unannounced.

There was a registered manager at the home. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff understood the needs of the people and care was provided with kindness and compassion. People, relatives and health and social care professionals told us they were very happy with the care and described the service as excellent.

People were supported to take part in activities they had chosen in the home and in the community.

Staff were appropriately trained and skilled to ensure the care delivered to people was safe and effective. They all received a thorough induction when they started work at the home and fully understood their roles and responsibilities.

The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care consistently involving people, relatives and professionals. Care plans were reviewed regularly and people’s support was personalised and tailored to their individual needs. Each person and every relative told us they were asked for feedback and encouraged to voice their opinions about the quality of care provided.

Where people lacked the mental capacity to make decisions the home was guided by the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to ensure any decisions were made in the person’s best interests.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. At the time of our inspection applications had been submitted by the managing authority (care home) to the supervisory body (local authority) and had yet to be authorised. The registered manager understood when an application should be made and how to submit one. They were aware of a recent Supreme Court Judgement which widened and clarified the definition of a deprivation of liberty.

Staff talked to people in a friendly and respectful manner. Staff had developed good relationships with people and were attentive to their individual needs. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity at all times and interacted with people in a caring and professional manner.

Staff told us they were encouraged to raise any concerns about possible abuse.

People and relatives knew how to make a complaint if they needed to. The complaints procedure was displayed in the home. It included information about how to make a complaint. There was also information about how to contact the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The home routinely listened and learned from people and visitor experiences through annual resident/ relatives’ survey. The surveys gained the views of people living at the home and their relatives and were used to monitor and where necessary improve the service.