This inspection took place on the 26 and 27 February 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of one inspector. The service was previously under a different provider until Black Swan Care Group purchased it in October 2016.

Drummonds is a Care Home for adults with physical and learning disabilities and is situated in Feering, a village on the outskirts of the Essex county town of Colchester. The service has accommodation for up to 41 adults. At the time of our inspection there were 36 people living in the service. Most people have single rooms whilst others have been given a choice to share a large bedroom. The service has the following facilities communal bath/shower rooms, kitchen, four dining rooms and lounge, cinema room, video calling room, sensory room, enclosed garden and secured swimming pool with the latter located at the back of the care home and has suitable access and aiding equipment. There is also parking available at the service.

The 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.

At the time of our inspection, the service did not have a registered manager, as the manager had been newly appointed and was due to have their registration interview with the Commission shortly after our inspection. We have since received confirmation that the manager has been successful in their 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 a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People told us they felt safe due to the support being provided by the service. Their human rights were properly recognised, respected and promoted. The service worked hard to ensure that personalised and suitable arrangements were in place to ensure that people received appropriate care and support to meet their needs. Accident records were appropriately maintained and these were kept in line with data protection guidelines. The service continually looked at other ways in which it could improve people’s lives by empowering them to do as much as they could but maintaining their safety at all times.

In-depth induction programmes were provided for all new employees and a wide range of training modules were available for the staff team, many of which were essential components of individual learning and development plans. Training was also provided specifically around the needs of people who lived in Drummonds. Staff members we spoke with were knowledgeable about the needs of those in their care.

Records showed the staff team completed an exceptionally wide range of mandatory training modules and this was confirmed by staff members we spoke with. Regular supervision sessions and annual appraisals enabled members of the workforce to discuss their personal development and training needs with their line manager.

The dedication of the service, ensuring medication support for people was central to people’s wellbeing, meant that it had significantly changed some people’s lives in positive ways. Recruitment of staff was detailed and very robust including detailed work on immigration checks and safety checks of prospective staff members to ensure they were suitable to support people.

The service ensured that all staff knew the needs of the people they supported and treated them with dignity and respect. People’s healthcare needs were well managed and they had access to a wide range of healthcare professionals.

There was always sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. Suitable arrangements were in place