This inspection took place on 26 September 2018. We gave the provider two days’ notice that we would be visiting their head office as we wanted to make sure they were available on the day of our inspection.

This is the first time this service has been inspected since it was registered in 2013. This is because the service has not supported people with personal care until recently. The provision of personal care is regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live in their own home 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.

Step Ahead Care Services provides support to adults who have a learning disability. At the time of this inspection there were two people using the service.

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.

There was a registered manager in post. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Relatives told us that people using the service were well treated by the staff and felt safe with them. Relatives trusted the staff and management.

Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse and they understood their responsibilities in keeping people safe. Staff understood that people were at risk of discrimination and knew that people must be treated with respect. Staff understood that there were laws to protect people from discrimination.

Risks to people’s safety, in relation to their everyday care and treatment, had been identified and staff understood the actions they needed to take to reduce these risks. Risks had been discussed with relatives, communicated to people when possible and recorded so staff knew how to support people safely.

Staff helped people with the management of their medicines and followed appropriate polices and procedures in order to make sure this was done safely. The management of medicines were being reviewed and audited regularly to ensure any issues were identified quickly.

The service was following appropriate recruitment procedures to make sure that only suitable staff were employed.

People chose the meals they wanted to eat and were encouraged to eat healthily.

The staff and management made sure that people had regular access to healthcare professionals such as GPs, dentists and opticians. People’s health was monitored and relatives were updated regularly.

Staff were provided with the support and training they needed to care for people appropriately and effectively.

Staff offered choices to people and involved them in making decisions about their care as far as possible. Staff understood how people communicated their views, feelings and care preferences.

The management and staff were quick to respond to any changes in people’s needs and care plans reflected people’s current needs and preferences.

Relatives told us they had no complaints about the service but said they felt able to raise any concerns without worry.

The service had a number of quality monitoring systems and relatives confirmed that they were asked about the quality of the service and had made comments about this.

Staff were positive about the management and understood the vision and values that underpinned the service.