This inspection took place on 26 November 2018 and was unannounced.

This was the home’s first inspection since their registration on 16 February 2018.

Grasmere Avenue is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Grasmere Avenue specialises in supporting younger adults with mental health needs, learning disabilities and autism, accommodating up to six people in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection five people were residing at the home.

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.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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 delivered by staff was of a high quality, with exceptional feedback received from relatives. Staff knew people’s individual needs well and respected their privacy and dignity. People’s independence was enhanced with ample care and attention paid to how they could be supported to do things for themselves.

People at the home were kept safe, in premises that were well maintained and clean. Staff knew how to identify the signs of abuse, and knew the action to take if they suspected someone was at risk. People’s needs were thoroughly risk assessed in order for staff to appropriately support them. People’s medicines were well managed to ensure that people received them when they needed them. Recruitment processes were effective in ensuring that people were supported by staff that were safe to care for them. Any incidents or accidents were reviewed to help prevent their reoccurrence.

The service was effective in meeting the needs of the people at the home. Staff received regular support through ongoing training as well as supervision and appraisal. The team worked with other organisations to ensure that people’s needs were met, with a collaborative approach. People were supported to attend healthcare appointments, in line with their identified needs. In order to ensure people maintained a balanced diet their food preferences were sought, and the home accommodated these within their weekly meal planning. Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and people at the home were not unlawfully deprived of their liberty.

The service responded to people’s needs and looked for innovative ways to encourage people to undertake the activities they enjoyed. People’s care plans were regularly reviewed, and the registered manager was aware of how to discuss people’s end of life wishes in a sensitive manner. There was a complaints policy in place to ensure a level of accountability in addressing people’s concerns.

People, relatives and staff were highly complimentary about the support that the management offered them. Staff were passionate about a consolidated team work approach, and reflected a registered manager that led by example. All those involved in the home were supported to express their views and improve service delivery. Quality assurance systems were effective in driving improvements across the home.