About the service: Pathways Support is a domiciliary care agency which provides personal care and support to people living with a learning disability, in three ‘supported living’ properties owned and managed by the local authority. Although the service had been registered since February 2016, they had only begun to provide personal care in August 2018. At the time of our inspection they were providing personal care to eight people.

The 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 .

People’s experience of using this service:

• The service needed to make improvements because the provider lacked effective governance systems to identify concerns in the service and drive the necessary improvement; The management of medicines for people was not always safe and we could not be assured people received their medicines in line with the prescriptions; At times there was a lack of clear and accurate records regarding people’s support and any potential risks to them or others.

• Whilst we saw when incidents occurred, the provider took action we were not always confident from the records that learning had taken place or that the appropriate external bodies had been notified.

• However, people were happy with the service they received and felt supported by kind and caring staff to do what they wanted and make their own decisions.

• There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and staff’s knowledge and understanding of the people they supported was good. Staff recognised people’s abilities, encouraged their independence and supported them in times of distress.

• No one had any complaints and felt the management team were open, approachable and supportive. Everyone was confident the provider would take the necessary actions to address any concerns promptly.

• The registered manager and office staff demonstrated a willingness to make improvements and during the inspection began reviewing their systems and process to ensure the service consistently provided good, safe, quality care and support.

Rating at last inspection: This was the first inspection since the service became registered with CQC.

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection to ensure the provider was meeting the requirements of the legislation.

Follow up: We will ask the registered provider for a clear action plan to address the breaches of regulations. We will continue to monitor all information received about the service to understand any risks that may arise and to ensure the next inspection is scheduled accordingly.