We inspected North West Community Services (Manchester) Limited - 62 Bradgate Close on 29 September 2016. This was an unannounced inspection which meant that the staff and provider did not know that we would be visiting.

62 Bradgate Close provides care for four people with learning disabilities who may also have mental health needs.

The registered manager has been in post since September 2016. 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.

At the time of the inspection we met three of the four people who lived at the home. Two people who lived at the service had very limited verbal communication so we observed how staff interacted with them.

One person told us that they were very happy with the service and found it met their needs. They told us all about the improvements they had made when interacting with others and the communication skills they had learnt. One person told us they felt able to freely discuss any concern and ask questions about everyday matters. We found that there was a lot of humour and jovial interactions between the people and staff.

We found that the registered manager and staff consistently ensured people were supported to lead an independent lifestyle. Staff readily identified triggers that would lead people to become distressed and were adept at using deescalating techniques.

Staff were aware of how to respect people’s privacy and dignity. We saw that staff supported people to make choices and decisions.

We saw that detailed assessments were completed, which identified people’s health and support needs as well as any risks to people who used the service and others. These assessments were used to create plans to reduce the risks identified as well as support plans. We noted that the registered provider is in the process of reviewing the format to ensure they are easy to navigate.

We saw that people were offered plenty to eat and assisted to ensure that their nutritional needs were met. We saw that each individual’s preference was catered for and people were supported to maintain a healthy weight.

We saw there were systems and processes in place to protect people from the risk of harm. We found that staff understood and appropriately used safeguarding procedures.

People were supported to maintain good health and had access to healthcare professionals and services. People were supported and encouraged to have regular health checks and were accompanied by staff to hospital appointments. We saw that people had hospital passports. The aim of a hospital passport is to assist people with a learning disability to provide hospital staff with important information they need to know about them and their health.

Staff had received a range of training, which covered mandatory courses such as fire safety, infection control and first aid as well as condition specific training such as working with people who have learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.

Staff had also received training around the application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The staff we spoke with understood the requirements of this Act and were ensuring that where appropriate this legislation was used.

Staff discussed with us how they as a team worked very closely with people to make sure the service enabled each person to reach their potential.

People and the staff we spoke with told us that there were enough staff to meet individuals’ needs. We found there were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs.

Effective recruitment and selection procedures were in place and we saw that appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.

We reviewed the systems for the

Most of the people who used the service had a learning disability and were unable to communicate their wishes and feelings verbally. In light of this we spoke with relatives of the people who used the service.

People were involved in developing their plan of care as much as possible. A range of social activities were provided which ensured people’s social care needs were met. Staff monitored and planned for people’s physical health care needs.

One of the people who used the service told us, “I have lived here for seven months and have settled in and am happy to stay.” They described the staff as ‘great’ and ‘really good’ and said staff were always around to talk to.

Relatives of the people who used the service said they were very happy with the way their relative was looked after. They said they were always kept informed about their relative’s general well-being.

Staff were trained on how to safeguard people from abuse and the manager knew what to do if an allegation of abuse was made.

One of the people who used the service said they would speak with any of the staff if they wanted to make a complaint. They told us, "If I wasn't happy I would speak to the manager, I like them.”

Relatives spoken with said that although they were not aware of the home's formal complaint procedure, they would speak with the manager directly if they wanted to raise a concern. Neither of the relatives we spoke with had any concerns to raise.

The people who used the service had a learning disability and were unable to communicate their views of the service. In light of this we spoke with their relatives to find out what they thought of the service provided.

As part of this review of compliance we asked Manchester City Council contract department, LINKs* and health care professionals who regularly supported people who used the service for their views. LINKs had no up to date information for this compliance review.

Relatives spoken with were happy with the service provided. One person said he was very happy with the care his brother received and had no concerns to raise. He said the manager and staff were very kind and he was always kept informed about his brother’s welfare. He said, “The staff are lovely, they know my brother well and I believe he is well looked after. They have really brought out the best in him”. Another relative said she felt the home was well managed and the staff were very caring. She said, “The staff do a very good job, they are very helpful. I am kept informed about my son’s welfare and the staff treat him like family. I am very happy with everything”.

Visiting health care professionals and Manchester City Council contract department had no concerns to raise about the service. They thought the home was well managed and the people who used the service were well supported. Health care professionals commented their clients were well looked after and that staff kept them informed of their welfare. They said staff sought advice appropriately and dealt with issues promptly when they arose.

*LINKs is a network of individuals and organisations that have an interest in improving health and social care services. They are independent of the council, NHS and other service providers. LINKs aim to involve local people in the planning and delivery of services.