17 Chamberlain Way is a two bed respite service for people who require accommodation and support with personal care. The service supports people with a range of learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders as well as physical disabilities. At the time of inspection there were two people using the service, one person had been on respite with the service for 14 months. The other person regularly used the service for three days respite a month.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People were supported to remain safe at the service. Appropriate safeguarding procedures were in place and risks to people were regularly assessed and reviewed. Staff were suitably recruited and met the needs of the people using the service.

Staff were trained to carry out their roles effectively and worked with partnership organisations to meet people’s needs. 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 support this practice.

Staff were caring and compassionate, whilst treating people with dignity and respect. People were supported to be involved in decision making in relation to their care.

People received care that was personalised to meet their needs and were supported to partake in activities and maintain social relationships. Complaints were managed and responded to appropriately.

The service was well led with a clear vision to drive the service forward and make improvements to the quality of care. The service met all relevant fundamental standards.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

This inspection took place on 24 November and 6 December 2015 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection of this service since it registered with us on 18 December 2014.

17 Chamberlain Way provides respite care for up to two people who require accommodation with personal care. The service supports people with a range of learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders as well as physical disabilities. On the first day of our inspection there was one person using the service.

There was no registered manager in post. The registered manager had left in March 2015 and a new manager was recruited shortly after. However, they had left the service just over a week before our inspection. An acting manager was 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.

Staff understood how to keep people safe as they knew the signs people may be being abused and how to report these.

The provider assessed risks to people appropriately and put suitable risk management plans in place for people. Accidents and incidents were recorded clearly in a way which allowed the provider to check people received the right support.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and recruitment procedures were robust in making sure only suitable staff worked with people in the service.

The premises and equipment were safe as the right checks were in place.

Staff understood the requirements under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 including the need to obtain consent from people before providing care.

People received a choice of food and drink and received the right support to eat and drink. Staff understood people’s health needs, including those related to diets, and how to support them appropriately.

Staff were well supported through a programme of supervision and training to ensure they were able to fulfil their roles and responsibilities appropriately.

Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect. They understood people’s needs and backgrounds and how to support people to be as independent as they wanted to be.

There was a suitable complaints system in place which people were aware of.

People were involved in their care planning and were supported to take part in activities when this was part of their care plan.

The provider had a range of suitable audits in place to assess, monitor and improve the service. The provider also consulted with external organisations to help improve the service.

Staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities and were involved in developing the service.