Kay Hitch Way is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to four people. There were three people living at the home when we visited. All bedrooms are for single occupancy and there are separate toilets and bathroom/shower facilities. There are communal areas, including a dining room and lounge, for people and their guests to use.

This unannounced inspection was carried out on 31 August 2017. This was the first inspection of the service since being re-registered on 1 November 2016.

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 the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The registered manager was aware of what they were required to do should any person lack mental capacity.

People who lived in the home were assisted by staff in a way that supported their safety and in a respectful manner. There were health care and support plans in place 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 who lived in the home were identified and assessed to enable people to live as safely and independently as possible.

Staff assisted people with personal care, their medicines, activities/hobbies, cooking and domestic tasks in a kind, cheerful and respectful 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 were in place to ensure that the quality of the service provided for people was regularly monitored. People who lived in the home and their relatives were encouraged to share their views and feedback about the quality of the care and support provided.