This inspection took place on 29 June, 4, 10 and 13 July 2018 and was announced.

This was the first inspection carried out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for this provider at this address.

The service provides care and support to people with learning disabilities living in seven ‘supported living’ settings, 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.

The service also provides a domiciliary care service. It provides personal care to people with learning disabilities living in their own houses in the community. It provides a service to younger adults.

Not everyone using the service receives regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of this inspection 24 people were receiving a service from this provider.

The service was divided into three teams and there was a manager for each team. Two of the three managers were registered managers. 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.

Overall, people and their relatives told us they or their family members felt safe using the service. One person told us they did not always feel safe due to the challenging behaviour of others who used the service. A relative also raised similar concerns on behalf of their family member. We raised this with the management team and a social care professional who provided assurances this was being addressed.

People received care which protected them from avoidable harm and abuse. Staff had received appropriate safeguarding training. Risk assessments had been developed when needed, to reduce the risk of harm occurring. People were protected by safe recruitment procedures which helped to make sure only staff suitable to work with vulnerable people were employed.

Systems for managing medicines safely were overall, effective. The management team responded swiftly to some issues we identified with medicines support to ensure safe medicines management. Staff were trained in medication administration and their competency was checked regularly.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. We saw people were asked to consent to the support they received. Staff had completed training on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and were able to discuss the importance of supporting people with their independence and choices. The management team and majority of staff had an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were encouraged to eat a healthy, balanced diet of their choice. However, two people’s relatives thought more encouragement was needed. People had access to a range of healthcare professionals in order to meet their health needs.

Staff received appropriate training, supervision and appraisal to support them to carry out their roles. This included positive behaviour support (PBS) training. Staff spoke highly of the training they received. Staff said they felt well supported by a management team who were open and approachable.

Staff supported people with kindness and compassion. Staff knew people well, respected them as individuals and treated them with dignity. People and their relatives, were involved in decisions about their and their family