This inspection took place on 11 May 2017. The inspection was announced 48 hours before we visited to establish if people living at the service would be available to talk with us and discuss how they may respond to our presence at the home.

Brookview is registered to provide personal care for up to eight people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. At the time of our visit there were six people living at Brookview.

Since our last inspection of this service a new provider had taken over the management of Brookview. This change had occurred on1 March 2017. The previous staff team and the registered manager had been retained by the new provider. This was the first inspection of the service for the new provider.

Prior to the change in provider we were informed of a serious incident that had taken place which the new provider had been made aware of. During this inspection we found the provider had taken positive steps to ensure people were safe and robust safety measures were in place to reduce the risk of further incidents of a similar nature.

We found the provider was supportive to the registered manager and staff. Everyone we spoke with told us the new provider had kept them informed of any changes. They said there had been no impact on the quality of service people received during the transfer of ownership.

A requirement of the provider’s registration is that they have a registered manager. 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. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager at the service.

Relatives told us they felt people were safe at Brookview. The registered manager and staff understood how to protect people they supported from abuse, and knew what procedures to follow to report any concerns. Staff had a good understanding of risks associated with people’s care needs and how to support them.

There were enough staff at Brookview to support people safely and at the times they preferred. Recruitment procedures made sure staff were of a suitable character to care for people at the home.

Medicines were stored and administered safely, and people received their medicines as prescribed. Regular audits were carried out of medicines to ensure they were managed in line with good practice guidelines.

People were supported to attend health care appointments to maintain their health and well-being and received support with a varied diet that took account of their preferences and dietary needs.

Staff were kind and supportive and ensured people’s privacy and dignity needs were met. People were encouraged to be independent and some assisted with tasks around the home and shopping if they wished to. Relatives told us staff respected their family member’s rights to privacy and told us how staff supported them to remain independent.

The management and staff team understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People were supported to make everyday decisions themselves, which helped them to maintain their independence. Where people were not able to make decisions, relatives and healthcare professionals were consulted for their advice and input.

People were supported to pursue their hobbies and interests both within and outside the home. Activities were arranged according to people’s individual preferences, needs and abilities and staff were keen to explore a variety of new activities for people. People who lived at Brookview were encouraged to maintain links with friends and family.

Relatives knew how to make a formal complaint and told us they felt comfortable raising any concerns they had with the staff. At the time of our inspecti