We inspected Aldam House and Cottage on 7th August 2017 and it was an announced inspection. The service provides accommodation and support for up to ten people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, mental health conditions, people who misuse drugs or alcohol, physical disability and younger adults. We gave the provider 24 hours’ notice so that the people who lived there could be prepared for the visit in order to limit the disruption it may cause to their lives. This was their first inspection under a new registration.

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 home had a registered manager in post and they will be referred to as ‘the manager’ throughout the report.

People were kept safe by care workers who understood their responsibilities to protect them from avoidable harm and abuse. Information on how to raise a concern or make a complaint was easily accessible to people and they could voice any concerns during regular house meetings. People were included in planning their care and support needs and relatives were invited to participate with their consent. Care workers promoted social inclusion and planned daily activities and events according to people’s choices.

We saw there were sufficient numbers of care workers on duty to meet all of the needs of people living at the service. Recruitment procedures were robust and care workers received a good level of training and support to meet people’s needs in a person centred way. Care workers used different methods of communication, some that people had adapted to suit their own needs. This allowed people to openly express and communicate their preferences and work towards achieving their goals. People were supported to make their own decisions and if they were not able to do so then decisions were made in their best interests with involvement from their loved ones.

Risks to people’s health and well-being were assessed and updated regularly, plans were put in place to minimise them so people could live as independently as they were able to. Medicines were supported safely and records maintained accurately. Care workers supported people to learn life skills including budgeting, shopping and cooking so that they had choices about the food and drink they consumed.

Care workers and people living at the service told us the manager was honest, approachable and always available to speak with. The manager supported people’s relatives to understand the impact of conditions and how they could best support them to work through changes. They shared information and literature with relatives - this provided them with a greater understanding about their loved ones health and how best to support their well-being.

We were told that the manager was open to people’s ideas and encouraged feedback to improve service delivery. The manager had systems and processes in place to ensure records were monitored and reviewed regularly. The organisation also completed their own internal audits in line with CQC values to maintain standards of service and to highlight any improvements that could be made.