This comprehensive inspection took place on 19 July 2018 and was announced.

This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. 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.

At the time of the inspection there were seven people using the service, one of which had access to a purpose-built annex.

Pineleigh was registered with the CQC on 2 December 2016 and has not previously been inspected.

The service had a registered manager employed. However, at the time of the inspection the registered manager was on extended leave. An acting manager was overseeing the service in the registered manager’s absence. 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.

Although people received their medicines as intended by the prescribing pharmacist, people’s outcomes in relation to ‘as and when’ medicines were not always recorded. We raised our concerns with the manager who told us they would be revisiting this with all staff who administer medicines imminently. We were satisfied with the managers’ response. Staff had sufficient knowledge on how to report and escalate any medicines errors, to keep people safe.

The service had clear guidelines for staff to follow in ensuring risks were assessed and managed safely. People were protected against the risk of abuse as staff received safeguarding training and were aware of the provider’s policy on safeguarding people. The provider undertook robust pre-employment checks to ensure only suitable staff were employed to keep people safe.

The service had systems and process in place to monitor the safety of the service. Issues identified were actioned in a timely manner. People were protected against the risk of cross contamination as staff were aware of the provider’s infection control policy.

People were supported to access sufficient amounts of food and drink that met their dietary needs and preferences. People who had specific dietary requirements were catered for.

People received care and support from staff that received on-going training to effectively meet their needs. Training included for example, safeguarding, medicines management and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff reflected on their working practices through regular on-to-one supervisions with the manager.

People were not deprived of their liberty unlawfully. People had signed their tenancy agreements where appropriate. Staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People’s consent to care and treatment was sought prior to care being delivered.

People received care and support from staff that treated them with dignity and respect, encouraged their diversity and treated them equally. Staff demonstrated compassion, kindness and empathy. People were encouraged to participate in activities that met their social needs.

People’s care plans were person centred, devised with people and their relative’s input and regularly reviewed to reflect their changing needs. People were aware of how to raise their concerns or complaints and were confident they would be managed in accordance with the providers’ policy.

The provider carried out regular audits to improve the service delivery. People’s views were sought through regular meetings and quality assurance questionnaires; and the manager encouraged and embraced partnership working with other healthcare professionals, people and their relatives.