This inspection took place on 18 December 2017 and was an unannounced visit. This was the provider’s first inspection at this location since registering with us in November 2016.

Heathcotes (Erdington) 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.

The care home comprises of one purpose built building which is registered to accommodate up to eight people who require support associated with their learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection, there were five people living 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.’

However, the service had experienced a high turnover of manager’s in its first year of service. We found that the current registered manager had been absent from work since registering with us in November 2017 and there was an acting manager in post. This was the fourth manager to work at the service. It was evident from speaking with relatives, staff and visiting professionals that the inconsistent leadership within the service had, at times, had an impact on the quality of the service being provided to people within its first year. Nevertheless, everyone we spoke with without exception, were extremely positive about the influence that the new acting manager had had on the service and acknowledged the improvements that had been made since their arrival as a team leader, prior to taking on the role as an acting manager.

We found that people were protected from the risk of abuse and avoidable harm because safeguarding systems and processes were in place and implemented effectively. People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who had the knowledge and the skills they required to care for people safely and effectively.

People were also protected against any risks associated with their health and care needs because risk assessments and associated care plans were developed holistically, reviewed and monitored. This ensured that people received the support they required to remain safe. People and their relatives were involved in this process alongside any key professionals and care staff, to ensure that care was person-centred and any decisions made in respect of their care and support needs, were done so within their best interests and in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Where people were assessed to lack the capacity to consent to the support they received, the provider had followed key processes to ensure that care was provided in the least restrictive ways possible. Applications had been made and authorisations received to safeguard people against the unlawful deprivation of their liberty, where necessary. People’s privacy, dignity and independence were respected at all times.

The premises and equipment were well maintained, clean and had been adapted to ensure people were supported to remain safe within their home environment. Staff were also aware of risks to people when supporting them outside of the home in order to promote people’s safety within the community.

People received support from staff to take their prescribed medicines as and when required. Systems and processes were in plac