This inspection took place on 13 October 2016. The provider was given 48 hours' notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to ensure that the registered manager would be present. The inspection was carried out by one inspector. When we last inspected this service on 2 January 2014 we found the service met all the regulations we looked at.

Independent Lifestyle offers supported living services to people with learning disabilities and enduring mental health problems. The service can accommodate a maximum of 18 people. On the day of the inspection there were 18 people using the service across three supported living locations.

The service had a registered manager who was also the registered provider. 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 and relatives told us they felt safe. Procedures and policies relating to safeguarding people from harm were in place and accessible to staff. All staff had completed training in safeguarding adults and demonstrated an understanding of types of abuse to look out for and how to raise safeguarding concerns.

Detailed current risk assessments were in place for people using the service. Risk assessments in place were reviewed and updated regularly. The risk assessments explained the signs to look for when assessing the situation and the least restrictive ways of mitigating the risk based on the individual needs of the person. People were supported to take positive risks.

Medicines were managed safely and effectively and there were regular medication audits in place. Staff had completed medication training and the service had a clear medication policy in place which was accessible to staff. Risk assessments specific to medicines were in place for people who were supported to take medicines.

We saw friendly, caring and supportive interactions between staff and people and staff knew the needs and preferences of the people using the service.

Care plans were person centred and reflected what was important to the person. Care needs were regularly reviewed and updated to meet the changing needs of people who use the service.

We saw evidence of a comprehensive staff induction and on-going training programme. Staff were also safely recruited with necessary pre-employment checks carried out. Staff had regular supervisions and annual appraisals.

All staff had received training on the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and staff understood what to do if they had concerns as regards people's mental capacity.

People were supported to maintain good health and had access to healthcare services.

The service regularly requested feedback from people who use the service.

People were encouraged and supported to access the community and engage in a wide range of activities of their choosing.

The management team enabled an open culture that encouraged staff and people to discuss issues and ideas.

The provider had an effective and comprehensive quality monitoring system to ensure standards of service were maintained and improved.

One person who used the service was available to speak with us during the inspection. They told us they were fully involved in planning the support they needed to become more independent. They showed us the communal kitchen and explained how each person had their own storage and prepared their own meals. They said, “I wouldn’t change anything about living here.”

Person centred plans provided information on each person’s likes and dislikes, and detailed procedures for how they liked to be supported. We saw a pictorial activities timetable for one person, for example going to college, going shopping and friends visiting them. There was a separate support timetable for practical tasks that they needed support with, including doing laundry, cleaning their room and taking their medicines.

We saw that each person signed a tenancy agreement for their room in the house, and the service user guide which specified the support services provided.

The training records showed that staff had induction training to ensure that they understood the policies and procedures of the service for maintaining the safety of people using the service.

We saw evidence that all the care workers had received training in safeguarding people from abuse during their induction training. The supported living service was available for people over the age of 16. No one under the age of 18 currently used the service, but staff had training in child protection procedures in case they were needed.

During our inspection we spoke with the director, two people using the service, a manager and one staff member. People told us that they were supported to live independently at the home .One person told us that they had previously lived at different homes but they felt happy and supported at Independent Living. Another person said, “l love it here, staff are approachable and kind. I feel at ease and my life is back on track".

During our inspection we found people were well cared for and were involved in decisions related to their care. The provider ensured that people’s medical needs were followed up and people were supported to access community activities.

People were cared for in a clean environment and were aware of how to make a compliant and the procedure of making complaints was provided in a format that met their needs.

People told us that they are supported with their care. One person who uses the service told us that they had been supported to lose weight and that they were now much healthier. During our visit we observed and found that people were receiving care, treatment and support that met their individual needs and preferences.