We undertook this announced inspection on 18 July 2017. Small Opportunities provides supported living to people living in the Brighton and Hove area. There were two houses and one two bedroom flat. The service supported nine people at the time of our inspection. The service provided 24 hour support for younger adults with a learning disability. The Care Quality Commission inspects the care and support the service provides, but does not inspect the accommodation they live in. The office base for the service was located away from people’s homes. Small Opportunities has not been previously inspected under their current registration.

The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People and their relatives informed us that they were satisfied with the care and services provided. They told us they had been treated with respect and were safe when cared for by staff. There was a safeguarding policy and suitable arrangements for safeguarding people from abuse.

Staff were knowledgeable regarding the individual needs of people, and were caring and attentive. People’s care needs and potential risks to them were carefully assessed. Staff had been provided with guidance on how to minimise potential risks to people. They prepared appropriate and up to date care plans which involved people and their representatives. People’s healthcare needs were closely monitored and staff worked well with healthcare professionals. There were suitable arrangements for ensuring that people received their medicines as prescribed.

There were arrangements for encouraging people and their representatives to express their views and make suggestions regarding the care and management of the service. Regular reviews of care had been carried out with people, their relatives and professionals involved to ensure that people received appropriate care. Where possible, people were encouraged to be as independent as possible and to engage in social and therapeutic activities. People were supported to eat a healthy diet and staff ensured that people’s nutritional needs were met.

Staff had been carefully recruited and provided with an induction and training programme to enable them to care effectively for people. They had the necessary support and appraisals from the registered manager. There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Teamwork and communication within the service was good. Staff were aware of the values and aims of the service and this included treating people with respect and dignity, and providing high quality support.

Audits and checks of the service had been carried out by the registered manager and senior staff. These included checks on care documentation, medicines and health and safety checks of premises. People, staff and relatives found the management team approachable and professional, and said they felt listened to and any concerns or issues they raised were addressed. Accidents and incidents were recorded appropriately and steps taken to minimise the risk of similar events happening in the future.