We carried out a comprehensive inspection of Dimensions Somerset Jasmine on 5 and 8 June ¿¿2018. This was the first inspection since the service was registered with us. This was an ¿unannounced inspection.¿

Dimensions Somerset Jasmine provides care and accommodation for up to seven people who ¿have a learning disability and other complex health needs. It is operated by Dimensions Somerset ¿Sev Limited, part of a national not for profit organisation providing services for people with ¿learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. Six people were living in the home at the time 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. ¿

¿ ¿

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the ¿Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, ¿promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the ¿service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.¿

We spoke with people who lived at the home. As these discussions were limited, we also used ¿our observations and our discussions with people’s relatives and staff to help form our ¿judgements.

¿

Staff understood people’s needs and provided the care and support they needed. The home was ¿a safe place for people. People living at the home were happy, relaxed and confident in their ¿surroundings.

¿

People interacted well with staff. Staff were skilled at communicating with people and in ¿identifying any changes in people’s mood. Communication methods were being reviewed and ¿improved. People made choices about their own lives. They were part of their community and ¿were encouraged to be as independent as they could be.

¿

Staffing levels were good. People received good support from health and social care ¿professionals. Staff had built close, trusting relationships with people over time. One relative said, ¿¿“[Person’s name] is very happy there. He laughs and responds really well to the staff.”¿

The provider was currently consulting on changes to staff member’s terms and conditions of ¿employment. Relatives and staff both spoke about their anxiety if this resulted in changes to the ¿staff team. Both relatives and staff felt this would adversely affect people. Consultations were still ¿ongoing so it was not clear at the time of our inspection if the provider’s proposals would be ¿adopted.¿

¿

People, and those close to them, were involved in planning and reviewing their care and support. ¿There was a close relationship and good communication with people’s relatives. Relatives felt ¿their views were listened to and acted on.

¿

Staff were well supported and well trained. Staff spoke highly of the care they were able to ¿provide to people. One staff member said, “Staff only want the best for people here.”

¿

There was a management structure in the home which provided clear lines of responsibility and ¿accountability. All staff worked hard to provide the best level of care possible to people. The aims ¿of the service were well defined and adopted by the staff team.

¿

There were effective quality assurance processes in place to monitor care and safety and plan ¿ongoing improvements. There were systems in place to share information and seek people’s ¿views about their care and the running of the home. One relative said, “Oh yes, you can say what ¿you like to the staff. They do take it on board.”