We visited Oaklands on 27 April 2017 and this was an unannounced inspection. This meant the provider and staff did not know we were going to visit.

Oaklands is a purpose built care home that provided care for up to eight people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of the inspection six people used the service.

The registered manager had been in post since the service opened last year. 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 people who used the service. All of the people had difficulty communicating their views but all indicated they were very happy with the service.

We found that the registered manager and staff consistently ensured people were supported to lead an independent lifestyle.

People who used the service required staff to provide support to manage their day-to-day care needs; to develop impulse control; as well as to manage their behaviour and reactions to their emotional experiences. We found that the registered manager had taken appropriate steps to ensure staff provided consistent responses and took appropriate action when people’s needs changed, which had ensured staff could continue to meet the individual’s needs.

We saw 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.

People were offered plenty to eat and assisted to select healthy food and drinks which helped to ensure that their nutritional needs were met. We saw that each individual’s preference was catered for and people were supported to manage their weight.

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.

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 autistic spectrum disorders.

Staff had also received training around safeguarding vulnerable adults and clearly understood how to implement these procedures. We observed that staff consistently maintained people’s privacy and dignity. We found that staff treated people with respect and compassion.

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

People and the staff we spoke with told us that there were enough staff on duty. 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. The checks included obtaining references from previous employers to show staff employed were safe to work with vulnerable people.

We reviewed the systems for the management of medicines and found that people received their medicines safely.

We saw that the registered manager had an effective system in place for dealing with people’s concerns and complaints.

We found that the building was very clean and well-maintained. Appropriate checks of the building and maintenan