Denmark House is a care home which provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people with an autistic spectrum disorder or learning disability. The home specifically supports young men who are autistic and are known to behave in ways others may perceive as challenging. There were six people living in the home at the time of our inspection. The home has six self-contained one bedroom flats, with a communal lounge and dining room and secure back garden.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

This inspection took place 27 September and 4 October 2017 and was unannounced. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Staff were skilled in supporting people, whose behaviour could put themselves or others at risk, to live independent meaningful full lives. Staff used personalised strategies to support people to manage their emotions. We found examples of how this approach had enhanced people’s wellbeing and resulted in positive engagements with their local community. Staff had considered people’s preferences and past histories when putting strategies in place to help them develop at a pace that was comfortable for them. It was evident that people had progressed in the management of their own emotions and behaviours.

People were supported by enough staff to allow them to safely access activities in the community to carry out activities, attend events and maintain frequent contact with their families. Relatives highly praised the caring nature of the staff team. They stated the progress of their family member’s was as a result of the commitment and approach of the staff at Denmark House.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People’s risks had been assessed and were being managed based in their individual needs. Staff were aware of the management of people’s physical and emotional risks. They had been trained to support people in the least restrictive way and ensure people were protected from abuse and harm. Staff felt trained and supported to carry out their role. They praised the management and running of the home. Effective recruitment procedures were in place and being followed to ensure people were cared for by staff who were of good character.

Safe management of people’s medicines were in place. People enjoyed a balanced diet at home and in the community. Staff helped people to monitor their health and well-being needs and referred them to health care services as needed. People’s care records provided staff with the information they needed to support people and manage their risks and needs. Health care professionals were positive about the knowledge and dedication of staff and the managers.

The registered manager and deputy manager were committed in providing effective care for people with complex needs. Systems and polices were in place to monitor the quality of the service provided. Relatives felt comfortable about raising concerns with the senior team.

This inspection took place on 19 June 2015 and was announced.

Denmark House is a newly registered care home which provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people with an autistic spectrum disorder or learning disability. There were four people living in the home at the time of our inspection. The home specifically supports young men who are autistic and are known to behave in ways others may perceive as challenging. The home has a secure back garden and is situated on a quiet residential street. It comprises of five self-contained one bedroom flats. An additional ground floor bedroom is planned to be used for short term stay purposes only.

A registered manager was in place as required by their conditions of registration. 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.

Denmark House had only been open for approximately six months at the time of our inspection. People who lived at the home had complex emotional and behavioural needs and required a lot of support. People were adjusting and settling into their new home. Each person had their own adapted flat but could also relax and eat in the communal lounge and dining room. They were supported by high levels of staff due to their complex emotional and behavioural needs. Support strategies had been put in place to help people cope when they became frustrated or upset. Staff had been trained to support people in a caring manner in line with best practice. Details and guidance about the level of support people required were thoroughly assessed and recorded. Staff encouraged people to make their own decisions and retain their independent skills. People enjoyed the meals provided and taking part in activities.

The home had an established staff team who were familiar with people. Systems to recruit suitable staff were in place. Staff were supported and trained to carry out their role. Staff worked well together to ensure the safety of people and each other. Staff meetings had been implemented so staff could share information about people and the running of the home.

The registered manager was knowledgeable about providing a service for people with complex needs. The provider and registered manager had adapted the home and people’s flats to meet their needs. Systems and polices were in place to monitor the quality of the service provided. Actions plans were produced to address any identified shortfalls. Relatives felt comfortable about raising concerns with the senior team.