Oaklea is registered both as a care home but also to provide a personal care service to people living in their own home.

Oaklea provides accommodation and personal care for up to five people living with autistic spectrum disorder and/ or other mental health needs. People in care homes receive accommodation and their care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection. At the time of our inspection there were five people living in the care home.

At the time of the inspection, staff were providing a personal care service to one person who was living in their own home. When people live in their own home, CQC do not regulate the premises within which they live, only the ‘personal care’ being provided.

The service has been developed and adapted in line with values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can lead as ordinary life as any citizen.

The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

At our last inspection in September 2015, we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection. However, some elements of the service were outstanding.

People experienced outstanding care that was extremely flexible and responsive to their individual needs and preferences, from a dedicated staff team who consistently went above and beyond what was expected of them. The personalised care provided achieved exceptional outcomes for people, enriching the quality of their lives and improving their physical and mental wellbeing.

People were fully involved in planning their care and led active, fulfilling lives, supported by staff who were totally committed to promoting their independence.

Feedback provided by people, their families and professionals, consistently highlighted staff had an excellent understanding of individual’s social and cultural diversity, their values and beliefs, and how they wanted to receive their care and support.

Staff had taken innovative steps to meet people’s information and communication needs, which ensured they complied with the Accessible Information Standard. Staff went the extra mile to address people’s needs in relation to their protected equality characteristics.

The registered manager and provider consistently used the learning from complaints, concerns and reviews as an opportunity for improvement.

Staff tactfully supported people and their families to explore and record their wishes about their preferred care options at the end of their life.

People were protected from avoidable harm, neglect, abuse and discrimination by staff who understood their responsibilities to safeguard people. Risks to people were assessed and plans were devised to minimise potential risks, whilst promoting people’s independence. Medicines were administered safely. Prospective staff underwent relevant pre-employment checks to ensure they were suitable to work with the people who lived with autism or a learning disability. There were always sufficient suitable staff with the right experience and skills mix, to provide care and support to meet people’s needs.

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We spoke with two service users who shared their experiences of using Oaklea. One told us "I know I had some problems when I first came here but now I have made so much progress I really enjoy living here." Another person said: "It is important for me to be independent and staff help me to do this."

We looked at three people's care records and observed care received. People were involved in writing their care plans and were involved in making decisions concerning their care. We saw people were supported with their capacity and decisions were made in their best interest by appropriate people.

We found people's needs were assessed and their care plan contained activities to meet their identified needs. Where necessary risk assessments were in place to enable activities to occur safely for people.

We found the environment was well maintained and was suitable to provide accommodation for the five people. There were sufficient systems in place to ensure the safety of the building was maintained.

We spoke with two staff and found they received regular supervisions and training which enabled them to carry out their role effectively. One member of staff said: "I feel I am really well supported by my manager and know that I don't have to wait for my supervision if I need to talk to them about the guys."

We spoke with the provider and the manager about how they monitored the quality of the service. They shared a recent quality audit they had carried out and showed us an action plan from this. The manager said: "Quality checks were important as it made us look at ways in which we could improve the service."

During the visit we observed how people spent their time, the support they received from the staff and whether they had positive outcomes. We spoke with two people and observed the support two other people were receiving from the staff. We found people were treated with respect and interacted well with each other. We also spoke to four of the staff who told us that it was a great place to work and they enjoyed their work.

People told us that they received care from staff who were “fantastic and excellent”. They commented the staff were courteous and respectful. Another person told us that the staff were “best you could find “and they were supported” to do the things that we want”. People were supported to be part of the local community and undertook community based activities including attending college and work.

Staff were friendly, respectful and courteous when speaking with people. The care plans were detailed and reflected people’s needs and staff said this was helpful in informing their practices. People were supported and involved in planning the home’s menu. They were offered a varied diet and balanced meals that they said met their needs.

Appropriate arrangements were in place for the management of people’s medicines. People had access to healthcare professionals and treatment as needed. There was a recruitment process that was followed. Information was available in an appropriate format on how to raise concerns.

People told us that they made their own choices about how they spent their time. They also said that staff were aware of their individual needs. People told us that they prepared most of their meals independently.

We talked with a person who lived at the home and they explained how staff supported them in ways which met their needs. A resident told us that the provider employed a consultant who visited the home to ensure they met the standards.

We carried out this inspection on 10 and 17 September 2015. The inspection was unannounced. Oaklea provides accommodation and support for up to five people with a learning disability or who have autism spectrum disorder. There were five people living at the home when we carried out the inspection.

The home had a registered manager. 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 felt safe living at Oaklea and people were very much at the heart of the service. People were supported to take informed risks.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Relevant checks were conducted before staff started working at Oaklea to make sure they were of good character and had the necessary skills. People were supported to receive their medicines safely from suitably trained staff. Staff received regular training that provided them with the knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs in an effective and individualised manner.

Staff sought consent from people before providing care or support. The ability of people to make decisions was assessed in line with legal requirements to ensure their rights were protected and their liberty was not restricted unlawfully. Decisions were taken in the best interests of people.

People were treated with kindness, compassion and respect. The staff were highly committed and provided people with positive care experiences. Support was provided in accordance with people’s wishes.

Staff knew what was important to people and encouraged them to be as independent as possible. People were supported and encouraged to make choices and had access to a wide range of activities tailored to their specific interests.

People (and their families where appropriate) were involved in assessing, planning and agreeing the care and support they received. Care plans provided comprehensive information about how people wished to receive care and support. This helped ensure people received personalised care in a way that met their individual needs.

‘Residents meetings’ and surveys allowed people to provide feedback, which was used to improve the service. People knew how to make a complaint.

There were appropriate management arrangements in place and staff and people told us they were encouraged to talk to the registered manager about any concerns. The registered manager monitored the quality of the service through regular audits. They carried out regular checks to ensure the environment was safe and to identify where improvements may be required.