Style Acre is a supported living service that supports people with learning disabilities and Autism to live as independently as possible in their own homes. 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. People had a range of disabilities and included people with learning and physical disabilities. At the time of the inspection there were 82 people being supported with personal care.

At our last inspection of the service on 29 September 2015 the service was rated good overall. At this inspection on 7 November 2017 we found the service was now Outstanding in Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. It is now rated Outstanding overall.

The same registered manager remained 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Style Acre was a charitable organisation that was exceptionally well-led by a management team who were highly committed to ensuring people lived fulfilling lives. The service was outstanding at empowering people to have as much control over their lives as possible and to achieve their maximum potential. The registered manager promoted a 'can do' attitude that was replicated by staff at all levels.

The nominated individual was passionate about the person-centred approach of the service and it was clear the service was run with and for people. The service had developed innovative ways to ensure people were involved at all levels in influencing the development and improvement of the service.

Without exception people spoke positively about their experience of the service and the successes they had been supported to achieve. It was clear the culture within the service valued the uniqueness of all individuals. People had access to a wide range of activities which took account of their personal preferences and were tailored to their individual needs. Staff went to exceptional lengths to encourage people to identify an activity that would enhance their health and well-being. There were many examples of people's lives being transformed through accessing activities.

There was an extremely caring culture that ensured people's privacy was protected and respected. Everyone spoke of the openness of the service and without exception, people and staff felt valued and listened to.

The service were exceptional at looking for adaptive and creative methods of communicating for people. Staff used individualised methods of communication to enable people to have input into their support needs and maintain as much control as possible over their lives. People were encouraged and supported to express themselves in the most effective way to ensure their well-being was maintained.

People were active members of their local community. The service worked in partnership with other organisations in creative and innovative ways to improve people's independence. This included working with a variety of organisations to gain opportunities for people to find work placements.

The service had been nominated and won three awards at the Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers Care Awards in 2016. This included 'The Care Employer Award'.

Staff were highly motivated and committed to ensure people's individual needs were met. Staff worked with people to ensure they achieved their dreams and goals. The service created an innovative approach to caring by focusing on what people wanted to achieve and overcoming obstacles using an Active Support approach.

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We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Style Acre provides supported living services to people who live in their own home. At the time of our inspection there were 80 people using the service.

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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Everyone we spoke with was complimentary about the service. People praised the care staff and their commitment to the people they supported. People spoke positively about the management of the service.

The service had strong values which supported a caring, personalised culture that put people at the heart of all they did. The service was continually striving to improve and had effective systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service.

People's needs were assessed and where any risks were identified, management plans were in place. People were supported in a way that recognised their rights to take risks and were encouraged to access activities that developed their skills and confidence.

Staff were knowledgeable about the needs of the people they supported and had the skills to support them safely and effectively. Staff were supported by the registered manager and wider management team. Staff had access to development activities and a clear career pathway.

There were effective systems in place to ensure the quality of the service was monitored and improved. This included seeking feedback from people and their relatives.

We were able with speak with two people being supported by the agency and eight other people’s relatives. We met with the Chief Executive and two managers and spoke with five care workers. We found that people's dignity and privacy were respected and their independence maintained. One person's relative said, " I have seen him become more independent since being supported by Style Acre."

We found that people were well cared for and their individual needs were met. Relatives spoke highly of the care and support provided. One told us, "They’re fantastic. I can’t fault anybody.” Another said, "It’s nice to see him well cared for, well dressed and happy."

People were protected from the risk of infection because appropriate guidance had been followed. Relatives told us that the homes were clean and they saw staff wash their hands when they expected them to. One said, "The home is clean and tidy and the kitchen is spotless.”

The agency had procedures in place to ensure they only recruited staff of suitable character. It also had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive. One relative commented, “The agency do seek our views. I feel I can raise anything I need to at the annual review and I’m ‘phoned at least monthly by the home’s manager."

We spoke with seven people who were using the service at the time of this inspection. They told us staff respected their privacy and dignity and addressed them by their preferred name.

People told us they were happy with the care and support they received from staff. Most people spoken with said “staff discussed their support plan with them regularly.” It was evident staff were supporting people to maintain their independence. One person said “I do my own washing and ironing.” A second person said “staff support me with cleaning and dusting my room.”

People told us they felt safe and comfortable with staff providing them with care and support. People described the manner staff spoke to them as “calm and polite.”

We found people’s needs were assessed to ensure they received the appropriate care and support. There was a system in place to ensure people were protected against the risk of abuse. People were cared for by staff who were trained to deliver care and support appropriately. The service had an effective system in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of the care people received.