We carried out an unannounced inspection of this service on the 15 September 2017.

Oakwood House provides personal care and support for younger adults with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. The home is a converted, detached period home with a ground and first floor with stair access. Each person has their own bedroom with shared bathroom facilities. There is a communal lounge, kitchen/dining area, conservatory and sensory room for people to enjoy. There was a large, mature secure garden to the rear of the property and a driveway and grassed area to the front of the home. At the time of our inspection there were 3 people living at Oakwood House.

There was a registered manager 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.

Incidents, accidents and safeguarding investigations were dealt with fully by the registered manager.

People were protected from potential abuse and avoidable harm by staff who knew them well and had completed the required safeguarding training to keep people safe. Staff gave good examples of how they would report any concerns and knew about the provider whistleblowing policy.

The provider followed safe recruitment practices which ensured that staff employed by the service had passed the relevant checks and referencing required ensuring they were suitable to work with people living at the home.

New staff completed a thorough induction programme and were provided with ongoing support from the management team. There was enough staff employed to keep people safe.

Medicines were stored, administered and disposed of appropriately and medication audits were undertaken by the registered manager. Medicine administration records (MAR) were kept up-to-date.

Staff gave good examples of seeking consent when providing personal care and support and had a good knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and how to apply this in everyday practice. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications had been completed appropriately.

Individualised risk assessments were in place to identify and provide mitigation for staff in managing any risks associated with people’s health and well-being.

The provider supported staff with regular supervision and annual appraisal.

Staff were up- to-date with mandatory training enabling them to carry out their roles effectively.

People were supported to maintain a healthy, balanced diet and were encouraged and supported to access external health care professionals when required.

People had developed a good rapport with staff who knew them well. We observed positive, caring interactions between staff and people living at Oakwood House.

People’s choice and individuality was respected and staff gave good examples of how they protected people’s dignity and privacy and encouraged their independence.

Support plans were detailed, personalised and included all the required information for staff to be able to support people in accordance with their needs and preferences.

There was a complaints procedure in place, although the service had not received any complaints since their registration.

Oakwood House was a welcoming and calm home where a culture of openness and transparency had been promoted by the registered manager and provider.

The registered manager had management systems and quality audits in place to manage the safety and quality of service provision. The manager sought feedback from staff, relatives and external health and social care professionals.

Regular staff meetings were held enabling the sharing of best practice and to encourage staff to voice any issues that they wished to discuss.