We inspected this service on 19 September 2016. This inspection was announced. This meant the provider and staff knew we would be visiting the service’s office before we arrived. This was the first inspection since the provider’s registration at this office on the 15 July 2014. This service supports adults with a learning disability to live in the community. There were 39 people in receipt of personal care support within 11 supported living homes at the time of this inspection visit.

The service had a registered manager in post. 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 were protected from the risk of harm because identified risks were managed safely, the recruitment practices were thorough, the staff understood what constituted abuse or poor practice and people were supported to take their medicines as needed. Staff received training to support the people they worked with and supervision, to support and develop their skills. Staff felt listened to and were happy to raise concerns.

People were supported by a consistent staff team that knew them well and promoted their independence Staff understood people’s preferred communication method and the support they needed to make their own decisions. When people were unable to consent they were supported in their best interest.

People’s needs were assessed and support plans where developed with people to enable them to be supported in their preferred way. People were supported to maintain a diet that met their dietary requirements and preferences and were supported to use healthcare services. The delivery of care was tailored to meet people’s individual needs and preferences. People were enabled to develop and maintain hobbies and interests within the local community to promote equality and integration.

People knew how to complain and information was provided to them in an accessible format to support their understanding. When complaints were made we saw they were addressed promptly. There were processes in place for people to express their views and opinions about the service provided and to raise any concerns they had. The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service to enable them to drive improvements.