This inspection took place on 01 September 2016. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice prior to our inspection because the location was a small care home for younger adults with learning disabilities who can be sensitive to changes to their environment and new people . The home provides accommodation for up to eight people. There were seven living people at the home when we visited. The home was based on three floors which were connected by stairs. On the ground floor there were communal areas and access to a garden. On the second and third floor there were single occupancy bedrooms. There was a separate annex located at the front of the home which had accommodation for one person.

There was a registered manager at the home. 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. The provider notified CQC about significant events that happened in the care home and had acted in line with regulatory requirements.

People felt safe living at Woodrow Cottage. People appeared relaxed and comfortable in their home environment. Family’s members told us that their relatives were happy living at the home.

Risks relating to individuals were managed safely. Staff were knowledgeable about following care plans that identified risks and actions required to ensure people were safe. The registered manager and provider analysed Incidents to identify causes and triggers, putting measures put in place to reduce risk and likelihood of reoccurrence.

People were supported to maintain their health and wellbeing. Medicines were managed safely. Staff knowledge around Storage and safe administration was robust and effective. People were encouraged to maintain a healthy, balanced diet with access to healthcare services when needed.

There were suitable numbers of staff employed who had the right skills, training and support to work effectively with people. There was a clear management structure in place. Staff felt supported and motivated to improve service provided and were clear about their roles and responsibilities. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and were confident in taking appropriate action to keep people safe if they had concerns.

People received personalised care and support and had access to a range of meaningful activities tailored to their individual interests. Staff demonstrated a good awareness of people’s individual needs and responded effectively when their needs changed. Peoples were involved in their care planning and the service was developing ways to support effective communication for people who did not communicate verbally.

Staff followed legislation designed to protect people’s rights and freedoms. People were cared for with kindness and compassion by staff that were enthusiastic and motivated to improve the lives of the people they worked with.

The service had an open and transparent culture. Families were welcomed and were kept informed about changes to people’s health and wellbeing. The registered manager sought feedback from people, families and professionals in order to make improvements to the service. Staff were confident in raising concerns to the registered manager and were knowledgeable about the provider’s whistleblowing policy if they had further concerns. There was a prominently displayed complaints policy in place which staff and families were confident in using.

Auditing and quality assurances processes carried out by the registered manager and provider resulted in improvements being made to the service. The environment had been adapted to ensure it was suitable for people living with autism and further adaptations were planned.