The Harley Road Scheme is a residential care home for 14 people with a learning disability, associated physical disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. Accommodation is arranged over three houses in a quiet residential cul-de-sac. Each house is staffed 24 hours a day.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. 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 on-going 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.

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People were supported to live their lives in a safe way by sufficient numbers of staff. People were protected from the risk of harm or abuse because the provider had effective systems in place which were understood and followed by staff. People received their medicines when they needed them from staff that had been trained to carry out the task. There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk of the spread of infection.

People were cared for by staff who had the skills and training to meet their needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. People were supported to eat well in accordance with their needs and preferences. People’s health and well-being was monitored and supported.

Staff interacted with people in a kind and respectful manner and they knew people well. People’s privacy was respected and staff supported people to maintain their dignity. The provider’s procedures relating to confidentiality were understood and followed by staff.

People were provided with opportunities for social stimulation and work placements and they were supported to maintain contact with their family and friends. Staff ensured people saw healthcare professionals when they needed. People could be confident that they received a service which met their needs and preferences. Concerns and complaints were taken seriously and responded to.

There were effective management systems in place and there were systems to monitor the quality and safety of the service provided. People were supported by a team of staff who felt supported and valued.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

The inspection was carried out on 6 and 12 January 2016 and was unannounced.

The Harley Road Scheme is registered to provide accommodation with personal care needs to 14 people who have a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. There were ten people living at the scheme on the day of the inspection and two people accessing respite. People lived in three houses located on the same street in the village of Condover. Two of the houses provide long term care and the remaining house provides respite care.

There was a registered manager in post who was present during 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.

Relatives felt people and their belongings were kept safe. Staff had received training on how to keep people safe, they knew how to identify signs of abuse and who to report any concerns to. Staff had access to detailed care plans and risk assessments and were aware of how to protect people from harm. Risks were managed appropriately promoting people’s choice and independence.

Staff knew how to deal with accidents or incidents and these were overseen by the registered manager who took appropriate action to reduce the risk of reoccurrence. Checks had been made to ensure new staff were suitable to work with people living at the home before they started work there. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs.

People received their medicine when they needed it. Medicine was stored safely and accurate records maintained. People were supported to see health care professionals where needed to promote good health.

Relatives felt that staff were well trained and knowledgeable about people’s needs. Staff confirmed that they had access to training that was relevant to their role and enabled them to meet the needs of people living at the home.

Staff gained people’s consent before supporting them and respected people’s wishes when they declined support. Staff used people’s preferred method of communication to enable them to be involved in decisions about their care and treatment.

Relatives told us they thought the food quality was good. People were supported to choose what they wanted to eat and drink.

People were treated with kindness and compassionate. Staff supported people to keep in touch with people who were important to them. People’s dignity was promoted and they were supported to be as independent as possible.

Relatives and staff felt that management were approachable. There was a positive working culture at the home where staff felt well supported and motivated to deliver good quality care.

The provider had checks in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. They actively sought feedback from people, relatives and staff in order to develop and improve the service.