The inspection took place on 29 June 2017 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection for this service.

The service is registered to provide care and support for up to three people with a learning disability and autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection three people were using the service.

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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff were trained in safeguarding people from the risk of abuse and systems were in place to help protect people from all forms of abuse including financial. Staff understood their responsibilities to report any safeguarding concerns they may have. Appropriate action had been taken in response to the one safeguarding concern notified to us.

Risks had been assessed and actions taken to try to reduce these risks.

Staffing levels matched the assessed safe levels and were appropriate to the needs of the people who used the service. Recruitment procedures, designed to ensure that staff were suitable for this type of work, were robust.

Medicines were administered safely and records related to medicines management were accurately completed.

Staff training was provided and ensured staff were trained to meet people’s current and predicted future needs. Formal support for staff through staff meetings, supervision and appraisal needed to improve.

Staff had received training in the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The MCA and DoLS ensure that, where people lack capacity to make decisions for themselves, decisions are made in their best interests according to a structured process. Where people’s liberty needs to be restricted for their own safety, this must done in accordance with legal requirements. The service was operating lawfully with regard to MCA and DoLS.

People were supported with their eating and drinking needs and staff helped people to maintain good health by supporting them with their day–to-day healthcare needs. Some healthcare recording needed to be more robust to ensure people remained safe and well.

Staff were caring and treated people with kindness, making sure their dignity was maintained. Staff were positive about the job they did and relationships were easy and relaxed. Staff had built up good relationships with the people they were supporting and caring for. Careful consideration had been given to people’s communication needs.

People, and their relatives, were involved in planning and reviewing their care and were encouraged to provide feedback on the service. There was a commitment to ensuring care was person centred and met people’s individual needs and specific preferences.

People had opportunities to follow a range of outside interests and hobbies.

There was a complaints procedure in place but no formal complaints had been made. Staff confirmed they would know how to support people if they wished to complain and advocacy services were available if needed.

Staff understood their roles and felt well supported, even though the registered manager was not permanently based at the service.

Effective systems were in place to assess the quality and safety of the service and action had been taken to address any concerns. There was good management oversight of the day-to-day running of the service. The manager had submitted required notifications regarding health and safety matters to CQC.