The inspection took place on 25 July 2017 and was announced. This was the first inspection for this service.

Blue Pits Housing Action provides alternative support solutions to people with learning disabilities and mental health needs. This may involve shared accommodation, supported living or single tenancies.

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. 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 told us they felt safe being supported by Blue Pits. Sufficient staff were employed to help people who used the service had their needs met appropriately.

Staff files we looked at evidenced a robust recruitment system. This helped ensure people who were employed were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Medicines were managed safely within the service.

There was a safeguarding adults policy and procedure in place which included relevant guidance and contact numbers. Safeguarding issues had been followed up appropriately. Staff we spoke with demonstrated an understanding of safeguarding issues and how to report any poor practice they may witness.

Appropriate health and safety measures were in place at the service. There was an infection control policy and procedure and staff had undertaken appropriate training.

There was a thorough induction programme at the service which was signed off by a senior manager once the new employee was deemed to be competent. Regular staff supervision sessions took place; mandatory training was undertaken by all staff and extra courses undertaken where required

Care files included appropriate information about people’s support needs. All care and support had been agreed with the person who used the service.

The service was working within the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA). Staff spoken with demonstrated a good understanding of the principles of the Act.

We spoke with eight people who used the service. Comments were positive about the support received.

We observed support being delivered and saw that staff were polite and respectful. Relationships were friendly and relaxed and people who used the service were comfortable to speak with staff. We saw that privacy and dignity were respected.

The service was inclusive and initiatives such as inviting people who used the service to participate in staff recruitment helped people feel fully involved.

Care records were person-centred and included personal information around how people wished to be supported, their choices and preferences.

People were supported to a range of activities. Some people who used the service were also supported on trips out and holidays.

There was an appropriate complaints policy and procedure and complaints were followed up as required. People who used the service were given information in the form of a tenant handbook which included contact details and information on how to complain.

A range of policies and procedures were available in the office for staff to access when required. Policies were reviewed regularly and if there were updates these were sent out to staff via e mail.

Spot checks were carried out on a regular basis to help ensure the quality of the service remained good. Satisfaction surveys were sent out annually and we saw the results of the most recent surveys which included positive feedback around areas such as staff, support, activities, choices, involvement and views.

A range of audits were undertaken at the service. Incident forms were collated and appropriate actions taken to minimise the risk of further incidents. Monthly staff meetings and tenants meetings took place.