This inspection took place on 17 July 2017 and was announced. Rehability UK is a supported living service and provides support to 15 people who live in their own flats. There is an office on the same site as the flats from where the service is managed. At the time of the inspection four of the 15 people were receiving the regulated activity of personal care.

The service had a registered manager. However, they were currently managing another of the provider’s services and were not present during the inspection. Another manager had been appointed and was managing the day to day running of the service. They had applied to become the registered manager.

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 safe. Systems were in place to assess and manage risks to people, visitors and staff. Health and safety checks were conducted to ensure the safety of the premises and the environment. Staff knew how to safeguard people and report any concerns.

A robust recruitment procedure was in place and helped to ensure suitable staff were employed at the service to support people. People received their medicines safely and when they required them.

There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. Staff received training and were supported in their role by regular one to one supervision meetings. Annual appraisals were conducted and included opportunities for staff to discuss their future development needs. Team meetings were held regularly for staff to discuss matters relevant to the service and the people they supported.

Staff gained people’s consent before providing support and care. People’s right to make decisions was protected and when necessary decisions were made in their best interests.

People were supported to remain as healthy as possible. Healthcare advice was sought and followed appropriately. Regular reviews of people’s health and wellbeing were undertaken.

People were supported to maintain a healthy diet. Staff supported them to choose and purchase a variety of nutritional foods. When necessary people’s nutritional intake was monitored to ensure they had sufficient to eat and drink.

People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. They and their relatives were involved in planning and reviewing decisions about their care. Staff were kept up to date with information related to the changing needs of people they supported.

There were positive interactions between people and staff. People were relaxed in the company of staff who we saw were able to interpret people’s needs through an understanding of their personal communication methods.

People were supported in a variety of activities that were available for people to take part in. These were based on their personal preferences and assessed needs.

Feedback was invited from people, relatives and professionals to help assess the quality of the service and assist in its development. A complaints procedure was available which people and their relatives were aware of.

We found an open culture in the service. Staff and relatives thought the service was well-led and managed. Staff were comfortable to approach the manager for advice and guidance. They felt they worked together as a team for the benefit of the people they supported.

The quality of the service was monitored by the manager and provider through a system of audits and reviews.