We inspected Brandon Trust Supported Living - Oxfordshire on 26 and 27 June 2017. Brandon Trust Supported Living provides support to people who live in their own homes. At the time of our visit 59 people were being supported in 18 different houses.

There were four registered managers in post supporting the 59 people. 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.

During the inspection, we found the service provided outstanding care and support to people and was very responsive to their needs, wishes and preferences. All people, relatives and staff spoken with were extremely positive about the service. Staff were fully committed to the values of the service and carried these out in practice. These included ‘Let’s start with the individual’; ‘Let’s try something new’ and ‘What options do we have?’ Throughout the inspection, we saw numerous ways of how this value was implemented and embedded into the ethos of the service.

People spoke highly about staff that had often supported them for a long time and knew them well. Staff used the knowledge to enhance people’s lives supporting them to experience a full life with lots going on and individual to their preferences. People told us staff always treated them with dignity and respect. People benefitted from compassionate and caring staff that were enthusiastic about their roles and aimed to provide support in a kind and empathetic way. Where people reached their end of life stage the staff worked with various professionals, such as hospice teams to ensure people received a holistic approach that ensured a pain free and dignified death.

People were supported to live their life enjoying many experiences and activities to enrich their lives. We saw that every effort was made to engage people in meaningful activities and events and to continuously look at all opportunities.

People told us they were safe. Risks to people’s well-being were assessed and recorded. Staff knew how to report any safeguarding concerns and they were confident the registered manager would take appropriate action when needed. Where people needed assistance with taking their medicine this was monitored and carried out safely.

The registered managers’ ensured staff were continually developed so this approach could be sustained. Staff were well supported and had access to development opportunities to maintain and increase their skills. The provider ensured appropriate checks were carried out before staff started working with people to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

People were supported by staff that had the right skills and knowledge to fulfil their roles effectively. Staff told us they were well supported by the management. The team worked closely with various local social and health care professionals. People were supported to meet their nutritional needs and maintain an enjoyable and varied diet.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and report on what we find. 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’s needs were assessed prior to commencement of the service to ensure staff were able to meet people’s needs. People’s care plans gave details of support required and were updated when people’s needs changed. People knew how to complain. People’s input was valued and encouraged to feedback on the quality of the service and to make suggestions for improvements.

People, their relatives and external professionals told us they felt the service was well ru