This provider was last inspected on 23 September 2015. At that time it was rated as good in all areas. This inspection took place on 9 April 2018 and was announced. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector and phone calls were made to relatives and people by an Expert by Experience. Claremont House is a domiciliary care agency, registered to provide personal care to people living with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder, in their own homes. At the time of our inspection, 22 people were in receipt of personal care from the provider. It provides a service to younger disabled adults. Not everyone using Claremont House 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 people do receive personal care, 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 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 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. There was a Registered Manager in place.

People who used the service were safe. Their risks were well managed and they were supported by sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff. Staff had a good understanding of how to protect people from the risk of abuse and harm and their responsibilities to report suspected abuse. People were supported with their medicines safely.

People were supported by regular staff who had been suitably recruited. Relatives told us they received reliable care from a regular team of staff who understood peoples’ likes, dislikes and preferences for care and support.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were supported in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).

People's needs were monitored and responded to appropriately. People's interests and preferences were known to staff who encouraged them to pursue social events and areas of interest. Social inclusion was an important priority for people and the staff who supported them. Staff were caring and showed commitment to the people they supported. People felt they mattered to staff and were involved in every aspect of their lives.

People and their relatives were encouraged to share their opinions about the quality of the service for example, to key workers and through monthly questionnaires. The registered manager had a clear vision for the service that was shared by the staff team. This vision was about complete inclusion and involvement of people and staff in shaping their lives and the service.

Leadership of the service at all levels was open and transparent and supported a positive culture.

The inspection was announced and took place on 23 September 2015. Claremont House provides community support and personal care to people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder in their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were 40 people receiving the service.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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.

People and their relatives told us they felt safe with the staff that provided their care. Staff were aware of their responsibility to keep people safe and report any concerns to protect people from the risk of abuse. People had personalised care plans and risk assessments in place that detailed their support and health needs and staff knew how to support people safely when providing care.

People received care and support from staff who knew them well. Staff received training and support from the provider to ensure people’s social and health care needs were met. Staff had the skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs. The provider ensured staff were safely recruited and new staff received a thorough induction and shadowing opportunities before providing care on their own.

The provider took appropriate action to protect people’s rights and all the staff were aware of how to protect the rights of people. Staff ensured people consented to the care they received

People told us staff were very kind and caring. People received care from a consistent staff group which ensured a continuity of care. People said their dignity and privacy was always respected by staff and that they were supported by staff to maintain their independence.

People said they received a service which met their needs. People said they felt fully involved in their care planning process and any requests were responded to positively by the provider. Changes in people’s needs were identified quickly by the provider.

The provider listened to people’s views and feedback and was committed to continuous improvement. There were processes in place to continually monitor the quality of service people received. Staff said they were very motivated and felt valued by the provider. They said the management team were very supportive and they were provided with training and supervision which enabled them to provide a high quality service to people.