Rutland House Community Trust provides personal care for seven people living in their own home. These people have complex conditions including having a learning disability and some mental health needs. People received support throughout the day and when they accessed their local community. These were large packages of care to support people within their own homes. People lived in shared accommodation, two in one property and five in another. We visited the office location for the service as well as one of the houses that five of the people lived in during our inspection.

This announced inspection took place on 16 August 2017.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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.

The provider’s values and vision was clear and focussed on providing care that was person centred and that would enable people to remain as independent as possible. All staff demonstrated a commitment to providing a service for people that met their individual needs. Staff described having positive relationships with the people they cared for and knew their needs, likes and preferences well.

There were formal systems in place to assess people’s capacity for decision making under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Assessments were documented as required and best interest meetings held and recorded where applicable.

People received safe care and support. Staff understood their role in safeguarding people and they knew how to report concerns. The service had enough staff to deliver the kind of care people needed. People's medication was managed safely and staff were recruited and checked to ensure they were safe to work with people who used the service.

Staff had a good understanding of people’s support needs and had the skills and knowledge to meet them. Staff received updates to their training and regular supervisions. Staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities in caring for people and described being well supported by the management.

Care records contained risk assessments and management plans to protect people from identified risks. They gave information for staff informed staff on the measures required to minimise any risks. Staff were vigilant regarding people’s changing health needs and sought guidance from relevant healthcare professionals. People's nutritional risks were assessed and support was provided that met people's nutritional needs and preferences.

Staff and people's relatives were confident that if they had any concerns they would be listened to and any concerns would be addressed.

The provider monitored the quality and safety of the service and staff regularly monitored the support people received. Incidents and accidents were recorded and action taken as a result.