The inspection took place on 1 and 2 March 2017 and was announced.

Cascade is registered to provide care for up to 8 people. At the time of the inspection 6 people were living at the home. The home supports young adults who have a range of different learning disabilities and mental health needs. The accommodation comprised of a refurbished building over two floors. This was the services first inspection.

There was a registered manager in place. 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 a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. For the purposes of this report the registered manager will be referred to as the manager. On the day we visited the management structure had changed. A new deputy manager and daily manager had been appointed. The registered manager remained the registered manager.

People had robust risk assessments and reviews of their needs. These records were detailed accounts of people’s needs and the risks they faced. These records gave clear guidance to staff about how to manage people’s needs. The manager responded effectively to accidents and incidents and took appropriate action to try and reduce the re-occurrence of these. The service had emergency plans in place and carried out various tests to ensure the building and equipment used was safe.

The manager and staff knew how to keep people safe and how to protect people from potential harm and abuse. There were systems for staff to report their concerns to the manager. The manager knew of external agencies they must report such concerns to. Staff knowledge about these agencies was variable but the manager said they would address this issue.

People benefited from being supported by staff who were safely recruited. There was consistently enough staff to safely meet people’s needs at the time of this inspection.

People received their medicines in a safe way. People’s medicines were stored securely. The administration of people’s medicines was audited and checked. The manager and staff were proactive in responding to a change in people’s health needs. The service promoted and encouraged healthy lifestyles.

Staff received regular training and the service was making plans for future training for staff to complete. Staff felt their induction to their work was effective. Staff received regular supervisions. The manager was not always testing staff knowledge about certain areas of their work. However, following this visit we received confirmation that these systems had been put in place.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required to monitor the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. The service was working within the principles of the MCA. Staff had a good understanding about the need to seek consent from the people they were supporting.

People told us that staff treated them in a caring and kind way. People and staff had formed positive relationships with one another. The service supported people with their diverse needs. The staff and the manager supported people in a way which promoted their independence.

People received care which was person centred, relevant and responsive to their individual needs. People engaged with a range of social activities and educational causes aimed at enabling independence for their futures.

The manager had created a positive, open, culture at the home with a clear vision for the service and the people who lived at the home. This vision was shared by staff and people alike and put into practice.

The manager took quick action to resolve the areas which we had identified that needed improvement.