This announced inspection took place on 09 and 10 May 2018. This was the provider’s first inspection since their registration on 22 May 2017.

This service provides care and support to people living in three ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. At the time of inspection 12 people were receiving support. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

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

There was no registered manager at the time of our inspection, however the role had been recruited to. In the interim the director of development had full oversight over how each service was run. 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 were supported by staff that knew them well and treated them with dignity and respect. Relative told us that staff were kind and caring and treated their loved ones well.

Processes were in place to protect and safeguard people from the risk of abuse, and staff were aware of the actions to take if they suspected people were at risk. Any risks to people were thoroughly assessed and robust management plans were in place to mitigate the risk of any potential incidents reoccurring. Lessons were learnt from any incidents and accidents and comprehensive debriefs were held to support all involved. There were suitable numbers of staff to meet the needs of the people using the service.

People were supported to receive their medicines appropriately, and encouraged to self-medicate where it was safe for them to do so. Cleanliness and infection control processes were maintained and regularly checked to maintain good hygiene levels.

People’s needs and choices were assessed prior to accessing the service to ensure the provider could meet their needs. People’s consent to treatment was sought in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

People were supported by staff that were sufficiently trained to meet their needs, and followed the standards of the Care Certificate. Staff received regular supervision to support them and appraisal plans were in place.

Where necessary, people were regularly referred and supported to access a range of healthcare professionals. People were well supported to maintain a balanced diet and receive enough food and fluids to keep them well.

The provider was pro active in supporting people to express their views in ways that suited them. People were supported with the ways in which they liked to articulate needs in relation to their diversity or culture. People were supported to be as independent as they were able to be.

People’s support plans were personalised and reflected people’s choices in how they preferred to be cared for. People were supported to participate in activities of their choosing at the times that it suited them. There was a robust complaints policy in place, that was accessible to people, their relatives and stakeholders.

The service was well-led and staff received good levels of support in helping them to deliver their duties. Steps had been taken to build links with partnership agencies and other community groups in order to strengthen the development of the services delivered. There were effective quality monitoring systems in place to drive improvements across the servic