This was the first inspection of this service. It provides care and support to people with mental health needs who have a forensic history.

The service provides care and support to people living in one house so that they can live 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 had a registered manager, which 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 very positive about living at the service. They told us staff were kind and caring and they felt safe living there. Staff understood about safeguarding people from abuse and what to do if they had any concerns.

People’s needs were identified and responded to well. The service was very effective at working in co-operation with other organisations to deliver good care and support. This included where people’s needs had changed, and where people needed on-going healthcare support.

Risk assessments were drawn up integrating people’s views and care records were person centred. People were encouraged to reach their full potential, and were encouraged to volunteer and find paid work. The registered manager told us people were encouraged to ‘move on’ to independent accommodation from the day they moved in.

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 at the service supported this practice.

People living at the service took responsibility for cleaning communal areas with support from staff and the provider ensured people were protected from the spread of infection.

Medicines were safely managed and people were encouraged to administer their own medicines if they were able.

People living at the service, relatives and health and social care professionals all praised the service and were positive about the activities, the environment and the management of the service.

The service was well led by a proactive provider, registered manager and deputy manager providing management cover. Staff told us they felt well supported and could contribute to how the service was run. Quality audits took place to ensure good standards of care were provided and the electronic care and monitoring system meant that management oversight was prompted and evidenced when incidents occurred.

The provider had a clear vision and credible strategy to deliver high-quality care and support. The strategy was well-embedded at this service. Systems at the service supported continuous learning and improvement.