We inspected the service on 6 June 2017. Our visit was unannounced which meant that staff did not know we would be arriving.

Heathcotes (Magna) is a registered care service providing personal care and support for up to six people with a learning disability or autism. There were six people using the service when we visited.

There was a registered manager in place. It is a requirement that the service has a registered manager. 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.

Staff knew how to support people to remain safe. Where there were risks associated with people’s care, staff knew how to follow the guidance made available to them within people’s support plans. The registered manager took action following accidents and incidents to prevent a reoccurrence wherever possible. There were safe systems in place to protect people from risks within the home. Emergency plans were in place to help people to remain safe during unforeseen events.

There was a sufficient number of staff available to provide people with the support they required. The provider was recruiting staff to fill vacant positions. They were following their safe systems to make sure people were only supported by those suitable to work with them.

Some areas of the home were unclean and the practice of staff when handling food did not always meet food safety guidelines. The registered manager was taking action to make improvements.

People received their medicines from staff who had received guidance and training to do this safely. Where people refused their medicines, staff sought guidance to help people to remain well.

People were supported by staff who received support and guidance on their work and who had the necessary skills and knowledge. Staff received training that was relevant to their role. This included medicines and specific health condition training.

People were asked for their consent before support was undertaken. Staff worked in ways that protected people’s freedom and liberties. Where there were concerns about people’s mental capacity to make decisions, the registered manager undertook assessments and decisions were made in people’s best interest. There were restrictions on some people’s liberties. Where this occurred, this was undertaken safely by staff who knew their responsibilities.

People had access to the food and drink they preferred. Staff knew people’s preferences and where necessary, they were recording what people had eaten and drank. This was so that they could be sure people were having enough to eat and drink.

People received good support to remain healthy. They had access to a range of healthcare services such as to their doctor and dentist.

Staff supported people in a kind and caring manner. They made sure that people’s privacy and dignity was protected. Staff had built good relationships with people and knew them well. They helped people to be involved in decisions about their support. They also supported people to do tasks for themselves wherever possible.

People received support that was based on things that mattered to them including important routines. Staff had guidance in people’s support plans about each person’s specific needs which they followed when supporting people. Where possible, people contributed to the planning and review of their support. Where this was not possible, people’s relatives were consulted.

People undertook activities that they enjoyed. There were many opportunities to access their local area.

The provider had a complaints procedure that was displayed for people and their relatives. Where a complaint was received, the provider used this as an opportunity to learn and to develop their practice.

The registered

We carried out our inspection on 21 and 22 April 2016. The inspection was unannounced on the first day, we returned announced on the second day.

Heathcotes Magna provides accommodation for up to six adults who require personal care and support. People who use the service live with autistic spectrum disorder and/or a learning disability.

The service had a registered manager. 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 felt safe at Heathcotes Magna. This was because staff understood and applied the provider’s policies and procedures to guide them on their responsibilities to keep people safe and how to report any concerns on people’s safety.

People had the appropriate level of staff support to meet their assessed needs. The provider completed relevant pre-employment checks which assured them that staff were safe to work with people.

People’s care plans included risk assessments of tasks associated with their support and care. This meant that staff were able to support people in a safe and enabling manner.

People’s medicines were stored safely. Staff made accurate records of medicines that had been administered. However they did not always follow the provider’s protocols or guidance in the support plan to record when a person who used the service refused their medicines. They did not always record any actions they may have taken on such occasions.

Staff received training in the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and how they would practice it in their role. However they did not always ensure that when decisions were made on behalf of people using the service that they involved other people who were actively involved in their care and support.

People were supported to have a healthy and balanced diet. People had access to a choice of meals.

People who used the service had prompt access to healthcare services when they needed them.

People were complimentary of the caring attitudes of the staff that supported them. Staff treated people with respect and promoted their dignity and human rights. They also promoted people’s right to privacy.

People were supported to maintain links with the wider community. They had access to a range of activities.

People and their relatives had various opportunities to raise any concerns about the service they received. We saw that staff actively encouraged people to do so.

People who used the service, their relatives and the staff all had confidence in the manager and how the service was run. Staff had a shared commitment to provide a caring service to people.

The provider had quality assurance systems to monitor the quality of the service.