The inspection took place on 23 May 2018 and was announced. We gave Creative Support – Manchester Mental Health, 24 hours’ notice to advise we would visit as we needed to ensure someone would be available at the registered office. This was the first inspection since the service had been registered. The service had operated for a number of years before becoming registered with the Care Quality Commission under the registration of “personal care”.

Creative Support – Manchester Mental Health provides care and support to people in ‘supported living’ settings to enable people to live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked as people’s personal care and support.

Creative Support – Manchester Mental Health supports people with enduring mental health needs. At the time of inspection, there were 10 people receiving personal care living across two services situated in the south of Manchester. Each service supports up to five people at any one time.

There was a registered manager in post however they were not available on the day of inspection as they were on leave. We did speak to the registered manager following the 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 on the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

People were safe while being supported by the service. Appropriate risk assessments were in place to support people and were regularly evaluated to keep people safe.

Staff were aware of procedures in place in relation to keeping vulnerable people safe, they could describe signs of abuse and were aware of the processes in place for reporting any allegations.

Recruitment procedures were robust and staff members were recruited safely.

Medicines were safely managed and audited.

Health and safety of the property. was monitored by the service including fire safety and premises safety.

The service continually assessed the property to ensure if was fit for purpose in meeting the needs of the people living there.

There were sufficient numbers of staff members on duty to support the assessed needs of people.

Staff members received regular training and support to enable them to carry out their role effectively.

Staff members were given regular supervision and appraisal.

People received a thorough, comprehensive assessment prior to being supported by the service.

People were supported to remain as independent as possible and were assessed to be able to go out alone and administer medication.

The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were followed and meetings were held in people’s best interests when people did not have capacity or were unable to consent.

There were kind and caring interactions between staff members and people being supported by the service. People told us that they felt well cared for by the staff team.

We observed that staff were respectful to people when talking to them and communicated in a manner in which people could understand.

People were involved in decisions at the service including meal planning, relocation of rooms, activities and budgeting.

Care plans were robust, detailed and person centred. People were involved in their care plans and set goals and aspirations.

Activities were person centred and were encouraged.

Concerns and complaints were responded to in a timely manner and outcomes agreed and shared.

The registered manager and unit business manager had complete oversight of the service, they knew people and the staff team well and everyone we spoke with was very complimentary of them both.

People and the staff team told us that they had ful