Avenues South East - 1a Spencer Way is a care home which provides accommodation for up to six people with a learning disability who require personal care. At the time of the inspection six people were using the service.

There was a registered manager at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

We inspected Avenues South East - 1a Spencer Way on 1 December 2016. The inspection was unannounced. The service was last inspected in December 2013 when it was found to be not meeting the requirements of the regulations.

People told us they felt safe at the service and with the staff who supported them. For example we were told: “I like it here – yes, feel safe, yes I do. I know carers are there for me,” and a relative told us: “He’s very happy there – he seems secure and I feel he is safe, yes. He is very well looked after.”

People told us they received their medicines on time. Medicines administration records were kept appropriately and medicines were stored and managed to a good standard.

Staff had been suitably trained to recognise potential signs of abuse. Staff told us they would be confident to report concerns to management, and thought management would deal with any issues appropriately. A member of staff told us: “I would have no hesitation in raising concerns about anything to do with safety – I understand about whistle blowing – we have that in the training.”

Staff training was delivered to a good standard, and staff received updates about important skills such as moving and handling at regular intervals. Staff also received training about the needs of people with learning disabilities. Staff told us “Training is good. It has helped me broaden my knowledge.”

Recruitment processes were satisfactory as pre-employment checks had been completed to help ensure people’s safety. This included written references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, which checked if a person was suitable to work with vulnerable adults.

People had access to medical professionals such as a general practitioner, dentist, chiropodist and an optician. People said they received enough support from these professionals.

There were enough staff on duty and people said they received timely support from staff when it was needed. For example we were told “There’s always enough staff for residents to have their planned one to one time.” We observed any requests for assistance being responded to quickly, and staff always being attentive to people’s needs.

Care was provided appropriately and staff were viewed by people and their relatives as caring. For example a relative told us: “We’re very pleased with the quality of the care, and the staff are always welcoming,” “I watched the staff at the big BBQ they have each year – they were really attentive, and they did treat everyone with respect,” and: “I think they’re wonderful – (our relative) is so happy there – they are kind and caring.”

People had opportunity to participate in a wide choice of activities. People were busily involved in a range of activities on the day we visited. People were able to attend several different centres locally, which offered up a wealth of things to do. They also have the opportunity to go on an annual holiday if they want to. One person said: “I like the cookery – that’s my best. I like the cycling too. And I like the jigsaws – like doing the jigsaws with X (staff member).” Relatives told us: “They have lots of activities – a great busy life really. There is lots on, and in the evenings they sometimes have music, I think. Or they will get together maybe with the other house too,” and: “If they don’t want to do what’s on the plan, they’re not made to. So, then they might go for a walk, or a bus ride, so they

People who used the service spoke about activities they were involved in, such as shopping, meals, household tasks, art classes, trips out to the sea side and holidays.

People who used the service also told us the food was nice and they got enough to eat. They said they liked their rooms and they were warm enough.

Two people told us if anyone upset them they would tell a named but different member of staff.

People told us they were looking forward to the birthday party planned for that evening for a fellow resident. People were also very excited about Christmas and talked about those plans too.

Our visit was unannounced and early in the morning at 8:18 AM and we found the building fresh and clean and saw that people were usually treated with respect and dignity.

We saw that although staff generally treated people with respect and dignity, this was not always the case because staff did not always provide care in a way that acknowledged, recognised or protected their right to privacy and dignity or address dignity concerns when first identified.

We found the home did have suitable arrangements in place to obtain, and act in accordance with, the consent of people who use the service, or the consent of another person able lawfully to consent to care and treatment on that persons behalf; or where the person lacked capacity, establishing and acting in accordance with the best interests of the person in line with the Mental Capacity act 2005.

We saw people experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights and there were contingency procedures in place to plan for all foreseeable emergencies.

We found that people who used the service, staff and visitors were protected against the risks of unsafe or unsuitable premises.

We spoke with two people who used the service. People we spoke said that they were happy with the care that they received. They said staff "gets them to do things for themselves if they can".

Another one person told us, that they "were happy with the staff and they looked after me and care about me" they continued to say that they "know all the staff and they are all nice".

People told us that they enjoyed the activities which they could choose to participate in or not. We observed staff sitting beside people and they assisted them with their chosen activities in a sensitive way.

We observed staff interacting with people in a friendly and caring manner.

Two people who use the service told us they were happy and felt safe living at the service. Some of the people who use the service have more complex needs and were not able to directly tell us their views.

We saw that people using the service were very relaxed and at ease in the company of staff. We saw that support was provided in a way that promoted the independence and dignity of the people using the service.