64 Brighton Road provides accommodation and personal care for up to five people who have a learning disability, such as autism or epilepsy. People's accommodation is arranged over two floors. There were five people living at 64 Brighton Road on the day of our inspection.

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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People lived in a homely environment. Everyone was involved in maintaining the upkeep of the home by taking part in the cleaning and general housework duties.

People were independent and encouraged and supported by staff to continue to be so. Staff supported people to eat a good range of foods. Those with a specific dietary requirement were provided with appropriate food. People were involved in the menu planning, preparing food and shopping. People had access to external health services and professional involvement was sought by staff when appropriate to help maintain good health.

People were encouraged to take part in activities which were meaningful to them. People chose what they wished to do on the day, not only within the home but if they wished to go out.

Medicines were managed in a safe way and recording of medicines was completed to show people had received the medicines they required.

Staff met with their line manager on a one to one basis and staff said they felt supported. Staff said the registered manager had good management oversight of the home and there was a good culture within the team.

There were a sufficient number of staff on duty to enable people to either stay indoors or go out to their individual activities. It was evident staff knew people well, understood people’s individuality and needs and respected people when they wished to have time alone. Staff were caring to people.

People were not prevented from doing things they enjoyed as staff had identified and assessed individual risks for people. The registered manager logged any accidents and incidents that occurred.

Staff had followed legal requirements to make sure that any decisions made or restrictions to people were done in the person’s best interests. Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

Appropriate checks were carried out to help ensure only suitable staff worked in the home. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to safeguard people from abuse and were able to tell us what they would do in such an event.

Staff received a good range of training which included training specific to the needs of people living at 64 Brighton Road. This allowed them to carry out their role in an effective and competent way. Staff met together regularly as a team to discuss all aspects of the home.

Staff and the provider undertook quality assurance audits to ensure the care provided was of a standard people should expect. Any areas identified as needing improvement were made by staff.

If an emergency occurred or the home had to close for a period of time, people’s care would not be interrupted as there were procedures in place. People would be evacuated to another of the provider’s homes or local hotels should the need arise. There was an on-call system for assistance outside of normal working hours.

A complaints procedure was available for any concerns. This was displayed in a format that was easy for people to understand. People, their relatives and external stakeholders were encouraged to feedback their views and ideas into the running of the home.

People’s needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. People's likes and dislikes were recorded in their care plans which we found were detailed and provided guidance for staff to follow to meet people's needs.

We observed the support was offered and provided by staff to the people who used the service in the privacy of their own bedroom or a bathroom. We observed staff treating people with dignity and respect.

Staff told us that people who lived at the service were supported and enable to eat and drink sufficient amounts to meet their needs.

We noted there were no restrictions on food and drink. Staff told us that the service did not lock away items as behaviour of the people who lived at the service was managed and that they were encouraged to participate in all aspects of work in the kitchen.

We also noted that people’s likes and dislikes were well known by staff and recorded.

The people who lived at the service generally lived in an environment that met their needs and provided sufficient areas to relax and engage in activities. We found however that there was areas within the communal sections of home that were not being maintained appropriately or kept clean to a hygienic standard.

Staff stated that the people who live at the service were unable to communicate verbally. As a result we were unable to ask the opinion of the people who use the service in regards of the care and support they receive at 64 Brighton Road.

We were however able to make limited observations of the people who used the service who were at home during the inspection.

Our observations were that they, appeared relaxed and at ease in their surroundings and interacted well with staff on duty.

We observed that the staff members were attentive and demonstrated a good understanding of the people’s communication styles or body language.

In order to further ascertain the quality of care and support provided by the service, we undertook a telephone survey of a selection of relatives of the people who lived at the service.

We were told by one person that the home they “were very pleased with the home and felt that their relative was extremely well supported by the care staff”.

We were also told be another relative that the staff supported their relatives to participate in community based events and activities.

The home was described as being “easy going and open”.

One person stated that the placement of their relative into 64 Brighton Road had been very successful. Their relative had developed new activities and was now enjoying more social outings and events.

Overall people were very positive of the respect and dignity their relative was shown by the manager and staff at the service.

Although people who use the service were not able to tell us their views of the service, we saw that they were able to make their needs and choices known to staff. We saw that people using the service were at ease with staff. Support was provided in a way that promoted the independence and dignity of the people using the service.