This was an announced inspection carried out on 4, 5 and 7October 2018.

This was the first inspection of the service since it had re-registered with the Care Quality Commission in July 2017 because of changing its location.

Aspire Supported Living Service provides personal care and support to 16 people with learning disabilities, autism or associated related conditions and/or mental health needs. Some people may have behaviours that challenge. People live in 11 supported living settings, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

Not everyone using Aspire Supported Living receives regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with personal care, help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they, do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

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.

A registered manager was in place who was also the provider. 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 service had a quality assurance programme to check the quality of care provided. However, the audits had not identified areas of improvement identified at inspection.

Staff knew people’s care and support requirements. However, some improvements were required to record keeping to ensure that they accurately reflected people’s care and support needs. People's records did not all correspond with the current service provider with new records being introduced when a person started to use the service.

Risk assessments were in place and they identified some of the risks to the person as well as ways for staff to minimise or appropriately manage those risks. Systems were in place for people to receive their medicines in a safe way.

People said they were safe using the service. Staff had received training with regard to safeguarding adults and said they would report any concerns to the service or people's care managers. There were enough staff available to provide safe care to people. We have made a recommendation about establishing arrangements for staff cover when regular staff are not available.

There were some opportunities for staff to receive training to meet people’s care needs. A system was in place for staff to receive supervision and appraisal and there were appropriate recruitment processes being used when staff were employed. We have made recommendations about staff recruitment and staff training.

People were supported to have maximum control over their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; policies and procedures supported this practice. People had access to health care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment. Staff followed advice given by professionals to make sure people received the care they needed. People were encouraged to maintain a healthy diet.

A complaints procedure was available. People told us they would feel confident to speak to staff about any concerns if they needed to. People had access to an advocate if required.

People were provided with opportunities to follow their interests and hobbies. People were encouraged and supported to go out in the local community and maintain rel