We undertook an announced inspection of Response (DCA) on 10 October 2017. We told the registered manager two days before our visit that we would be coming. Response provides personal care services to people who are living with, and recovering from, mental health issues. At the time of our inspection 42 people were receiving personal care from the service.

The service had a 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.

We found people, relatives and staff were at the heart of Response (DCA) quality assurance programme. The management team had a wide range of systems to ensure people received safe and good quality care.

Staff told us the home was highly organised and well-led. The provider and registered manager regularly completed multiple auditing systems and acted promptly to address any identified issues.

Staff spoke extremely positively about the support they received from the registered manager. Staff had access to effective supervision. There was a culture of mutual respect and shared values.

People told us they were safe. Staff understood their responsibilities to identify and report all concerns in relation to safeguarding people from abuse. Staff had completed safeguarding training. The service had robust recruitment procedures and conducted background checks to ensure staff were suitable for their role.

People received their medicines as prescribed. Records confirmed where people needed support with their medicines they were supported by staff that had been appropriately trained.

People were supported by staff who had the skills and training to carry out their roles and responsibilities. People benefitted from caring relationships with staff who had a caring approach to their work. People were supported by staff who had been trained in the MCA and applied it's principles in their work.

The service sought people's views and opinions. People and their relatives told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken if they raised a concern.

People were supported to maintain good health. Various health professionals were involved in assessing, planning and evaluating people's care and treatment.