This inspection took place on 13, 17 and 28 November 2017 and was announced. The provider was given 24 hours’ notice because the location was a small care home for younger adults who are often out during the day; we needed to be sure that someone would be in. One inspector carried out this inspection.

Salisbury Road is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during the inspection.

Salisbury Road accommodates six adults with learning disabilities and autism in a two storey building. The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

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.

People and their relatives felt the service was safe. There were enough staff on duty employed through a safe recruitment process to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. Staff knew the procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns and whistleblowing. People had risk assessments and risk management plans to enable them to receive safe care. Building safety checks were conducted to keep people and visitors safe. People received their medicines correctly and as prescribed. The provider ensured infection control measures were in place to protect people from the spread of infection.

The provider carried out care needs assessments before a person began using the service to ensure their care needs could be met and to inform the care planning process. The provider was aware of their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and staff were knowledgeable about how to obtain consent.

Staff received support through training and new appointed staff received an induction. People were supported in a sensitive manner when they encountered discrimination whilst out in the community. Staff were also supported through regular supervisions and appraisals. People participated in the weekly menu planning and were supported to eat a nutritionally balanced diet. The service had effective systems in place for joint working with health and social care professionals. People also had access to healthcare support when needed.

People and relatives thought staff were kind and caring. Staff were knowledgeable about people’s care needs and how to develop a caring relationship with people when they first began to use the service. Relatives gave positive feedback about communication from staff about their family member. Staff told us people and their relatives were involved in decision-making. Staff were aware of the processes to follow to support people with their relationship needs whilst keeping them safe. People’s privacy, dignity and independence was supported and promoted.

Staff were knowledgeable about how to provide a personalised care service. Care records were detailed, containing people’s care preferences. Records also contained information on people’s communication needs. People had access to a range of indoor and outdoor activities. The provider had a complaints process and relatives knew how to make a complaint. People had end of life care plans which took into account the views of their representatives.

Staff and relatives spoke positively about the management of the service. The provider had systems in place to obtain feedback from people who used the service and their re