About the service: Crossways is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to eight people. There were six people with a learning disability and/or autism living at the service at the time of this inspection.

The staff team were working within the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensured that people could live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence.

People’s experience of using this service:

People were supported by staff to keep safe. Areas of risk had been identified and assessments told staff what these were and how the risks could be managed.

People were supported by staff who had a good understanding of how to recognise and report potential harm or abuse and were confident in local safeguarding procedures.

People received their medicines as prescribed. Systems were in place for the safe management and supply of medicines.

People were supported by staff that knew them well and who were kind and caring.

People were supported to access the community and take part in activities and social events according to their preferences.

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.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the service and felt respected and valued. The provider’s quality assurance processes were effective in identifying any improvements needed.

Rating at last inspection: The service was rated ‘Good’ at our last inspection on 30 August 2016. The report following that inspection was published on 25 October 2016.

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

This inspection took place on the 30 August 2016 and was unannounced.

Crossways is registered to provide accommodation and personal care support for up to eight people who have a learning disability and /or an autistic spectrum disorder. There were six people living at the service on the day of our inspection.

There was 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 supported by a stable staff team who knew them well as the majority of staff had supported them for many years. There were sufficient numbers of staff to keep people safe, for although there were some staff vacancies, these were being recruited to and interim cover was being provided from within the existing staff team and by the services own bank staff.

There were systems in place to reduce the likelihood of abuse and risks were identified and managed. People were supported by staff who were trained and knowledgeable. They knew how to defuse situations and minimise any distress to individuals. There were clear arrangements in place to ensure that any new staff appointed would be inducted and supported.

Staff demonstrated an understanding of the principles of consent and were clear about the procedures that needed to be followed when a decision had to be taken in an individual’s best interests.

People were supported to eat healthy and had good access to health care support when they needed it. Staff were caring and kind and supported individuals to maintain relationships with relatives and people important to them.

Care plans were detailed and informative but practice was on occasion complacent. Staff did not always promote people independence and help them to lead as full a life as they may be able to. There were systems in place to consult with people but they would benefit from being more proactive and imaginative.

The manager had the confidence of staff and the relatives. They were positive and were aware that changes were needed to improve the quality of care. They were clear about what was needed and had a plan to take this forward. The provider had systems in place to audit care and oversee care delivery.

The service supported seven people and we met five people using the service and spoke with the manager, senior team leader and two other care staff. We observed the support being provided to the people living at the service. Several people told us what they had been doing over the Christmas period including spending time with family. Other people were out for the morning horse riding and each person had a programme of activities and work placements they attended which they told us about.

Care records were detailed and told us about people’s needs and how they should be met by staff. Staff knew people very well which ensured some consistency of approach which was strengthened by the involvement of other health care professionals. Behavioural guidelines and protocols were in place to help staff support people to manage their behaviour in a positive way and reduce known stress and anxiety triggers. This meant people were appropriately supported.

The environment was managed effectively to ensure people’s safety and offered spacious accommodation which enabled people to have privacy or socialise with others.

Staff were supported by an effective manager and there were systems in place to ensure staff were adequately recruited, inducted and trained so they could carry out their role efficiently.

There were systems in place to make sure the business was managed well and met people’s needs and took into account their views and wishes.

We met four people who use the service during our visit. The three other people, who use the service, were engaged in activities elsewhere, including one person who was attending work experience. One person we spoke with told us that they had been on a recent holiday with two other people who use the service. We were told by this person that they had enjoyed the holiday and that some of the highlights were riding on an open top bus and watching the handover of the Olympic torch. We were also shown photographs, taken on the holiday, which showed the three people smiling, engaging in a range of leisure activities and looking relaxed. We talked to people but primarily observed their experience of being cared for through their interactions with staff. The behaviour of people we met indicated that they were happy with the care but due to their autism, people chose not to talk to us.