The inspection was announced and started on 4 April 2017 with a visit to the provider’s offices. Following the visit we gathered additional information by means of telephone interviews with relatives of people who used the service. We also spent time trying to contact staff by telephone and email.

HF Trust – Bradford DCA provides support to people of varying ages with learning disabilities, both in their own homes and in the community. This includes support with shopping, personal care, eating and drinking and emotional support. At the time of our inspection the service was supporting 17 people with personal care.

The last inspection report was published in November 2014. At that time the provider was meeting all the regulations and we rated the service as good in all areas.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

During this inspection we found the service was very responsive to people’s needs. They had done a lot of work supporting young people and their families with the transition to adult services. The feedback from relatives involved in this process was very positive. The overwhelming view was that the service had played a vital role in supporting people to achieve a smooth transition.

During the inspection we saw several examples of ways in which the service ensured people received personalised care and support. For example, we saw different means of communication had been developed in response to individual needs. Relatives told us they were listened to and where necessary changes were made to improve the experiences of the person being supported.

We saw the culture of providing person centred support was reflected in day to day working practices. For example, people’s support plans were written to help staff understand situations from the perspective of the person being supported.

We found examples of the service going over and above what was expected of them. For example, by involving and working with other agencies to support relatives of people being supported.

We saw people were supported to make decisions and take part in events and activities which enhanced their lives. People were supported to develop friendships.

People were supported to talk about any concerns or complaints and their concerns were taken seriously and dealt with. Information about the complaints procedure was given to people supported by the service in an easy read format.

There were safeguarding procedures in place to help protect people from abuse. Staff received training on safeguarding, assessing risk and capacity during their induction. People’s rights were promoted and protected and the service was working in accordance with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act. People were protected from discrimination and individual needs relating to culture, religion and gender were identified and met.

The provider had robust recruitment procedures which helped to make sure only suitable staff were employed. We saw the provider had started to involve people who used the service in the selection and recruitment of staff.

There were enough staff employed to deliver the agreed packages of care. Staff received training on safe working practices and on the specific needs of people being supported. Staff received on-going support through one to one supervisions and appraisals.

Risks to people’s safety and welfare were identified and managed. When people were supported with their medicines this was done safely.

When people were supported with eating and drinking this was done safely and people’s likes and dislikes were catered for.

People were supported to access health care

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014. The inspection was announced, we notified the provider 48 hours prior to our visit.

HF Trust – Bradford DCA providers support to people of varying ages with learning disabilities, both in their own homes and in the community. This includes support with shopping, personal care, eating and drinking and emotional support. On the day of the inspection five people were using the service. The service has been registered since November 2013.

A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

People and their relatives told us they felt safe in the company of staff. Systems were in place to keep people safe. These included assessing and managing risks to people, and safeguarding procedures to guide staff to identify and act on allegations of abuse.

People and their relatives told us they received effective support, such as helping them achieve their goals, from staff who understood their needs. Effective training and support was provided to staff from the management team, to enable them to meet people’s needs.

People told us they were well cared for. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and developed good caring relationships with people through personalised one to one support.

The service was responsive to people’s changing needs and goals, for example in amending the support packages following feedback from people or their relatives.

The service was well led. Everyone said the registered manager was effective and dealt with any issues raised. Systems were in place to continuously improve the service based on the findings of audits and feedback from people and their relatives.