This unannounced inspection took place on 20 and 21 August 2018. We visited the service on the 20 August. We spoke with the relative of a person using the service on the telephone on the 21 August.

This was the first comprehensive inspection of the service since it was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The service provides care and support to people living in ‘supported living’ settings, 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. People currently using the service lived in a single ‘house in multi-occupation’ that could be shared by three people. Houses in multiple occupation are properties where at least three people in more than one household share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities.

At the time of our inspection, there were two people in receipt of personal care support. The service provides support to adults with learning disabilities.

Not everyone using Steppn-Stone Limited may receive regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also take into account any wider social care provided.

There was a registered manager in post, they were also the provider. 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.

Improvements were required to the systems in place to ensure the effective governance and management of the service. The provider had not ensured that the necessary documentation was in place to provide staff with information on environmental risks that may be present. Audits had not identified gaps in the recording of medicines administered to people. Records relating to medicines stock levels were incomplete and did not allow this aspect of medicines to be audited effectively.

People told us that they felt comfortable and safe with staff. Relatives agreed their family members were supported in a safe way by the staff who were allocated to provide their support. Staff understood their responsibilities to keep people safe from harm and to report potential risks to their safety.

Staff recruitment procedures ensured that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out to ensure only suitable staff worked at the service. Staffing levels ensured that people's care and support needs were safely met.

The provider worked with other organisations to ensure that people received coordinated and person-centred care and support.

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 in the service supported this practice.

People were involved in their own care planning and were able to contribute to the way in which they were supported. Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them and their specific needs and wishes.

Staff induction training and on-going training was provided to ensure that staff had the skills, knowledge and support they needed to perform their roles. Staff were well supported by the provider and had regular supervision meetings.

Staff told us they had the appropriate personal protective equipment to perform their roles safely. Staff supported people in a way which prevented the spread of infection.

The provider had a process in place which ensured people could raise any complaints or concerns.

There were arrangements in place for the provider to make sure that action was taken and lessons le