Hadleigh provides care and support for adults with a learning disability, living in a ‘supported living’ house, so they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CCQ does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s care and support. At the time of the inspection visit on 12 February 2019, the service was providing the regulatory activity of personal care to four people. This was an announced inspection. The provider was given 24 hours’ notice of this inspection to make sure that someone was available to see us.

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.

At the service’s last inspection of 1 March 2016, this service was rated good overall and in each key question. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 continued to receive a safe service. Risks to people continued to be managed, including risks from abuse and in their daily lives. The service learned from incidents to improve practice. There were enough staff to meet people’s assessed needs. Recruitment processes continued to be safe. Where people required support with their medicines, staff followed safe practice. There were infection control processes to reduce the risks of cross infection.

People continued to receive an effective service. Staff were trained to meet the needs of the people using the service. Where people required assistance with their dietary needs, this was provided. People were supported to have access to health professionals, where needed. The service worked with other organisations involved in people’s care to provide consistent care. The service understood and worked to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People continued to receive a caring service. People had positive relationships with the care staff. Staff respected and promoted people’s dignity, privacy and independence. People’s views were listened to and valued.

People continued to receive a responsive service. People received care and support which was assessed, planned for and delivered to meet their individual needs. A complaints procedure was in place. There were no people using the service who required end of their life care, but systems were in place should this be required.

People continued to receive a service which was well-led. There were systems to assess and monitor the service provided and implement improvements where required. There was an open culture and people were encouraged to share their experiences of the service and these were used to drive improvement.

The inspection took place on 01 March 2016 and was unannounced.

Hadleigh is a supported living service and supports people with a Learning Disability in one housing project. The support includes support with personal care, shopping, domestic and social activities. On the day of our visit there were four people using the service.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of the 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.

People told us they felt safe in the service. Staff understood the need to protect people from harm and were clear about the safeguarding processes.

Risks were identified and steps taken to minimise the impact on individuals. People were involved in decision making about risks and there were clear arrangements in place for emergencies.

People told us they received support from a stable staff team who knew them well. The systems in place to recruit staff were thorough and protected people. The service was fully staffed and staff told us that they worked in a flexible way to meet people’s needs. Staff received ongoing training to ensure that they kept up to date with good practice and refresh their skills and knowledge. Consent was well understood and people were supported in line with the legislation. People had access to advocacy services.

Support was provided to promote healthy eating and access to health care services.

Staff were caring and compassionate and promoted peoples independence. People were involved in making decisions about how they were supported and encouraged to lead a full life.

The culture of the service was open. Staff were motivated and clear about the objectives of the service. There were systems in place to drive improvement including inspections by representatives of the provider. There were plans to expand the range of audits undertaken.