Macintyre Care Shropshire Herefordshire and Powys supported living provides supported living services to people with learning disabilities in their own homes. At the time of our inspection twelve people were receiving personal care from them.

The inspection of this service took place on 19 an 20 September 2016 and was announced.

There was a registered manager in post and they were present 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, registered managers 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 were supported by staff who knew how to keep them safe and free from harm. Staff knew how to recognise and report any risks, problems or potential signs of abuse.

People were supported to live independent lives. Risks were assessed prior to activities taking place with people’s full involvement. Guidelines were in place to help people learn new skills safely. Regular reviews ensured risks were updated as people achieved their goals.

People who required support to take their medicines were protected by safe systems in place for administering, storing and recording medicines. Training was in place to enable staff to safely support people when required.

Overall people were supported by sufficient staff to meet their needs safely and effectively. However recruitment was problematic in one geographical area and this had impacted on the quality of life for one person who used the service. Staff were recruited through safe recruitment practices meaning that only people suitable to work in the role were appointed.

People were supported by staff who had the knowledge and skills to provide effective support. Staff received excellent training opportunities and training had been developed around the individual needs of the people who used the service.

Staff understood their roles and responsibilities and worked well as a team to ensure people’s needs were met. People’s rights were protected under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and staff understood how to protect people’s human rights. People were supported to make choices as to how they lived their lives and staff recognised the importance of people having the right information and support to enable them to make their own decisions

People received support to ensure they enjoyed a balanced and nutritious diet. Staff worked with healthcare professionals to promote people’s good health.

People were supported by staff who were caring and kind. Staff understood the importance of delivering person centre care that promoted and developed people’s independence. People’s privacy and dignity was respected. People were supported to maintain and develop positive relationships with people who were important to them.

People received a responsive service that was centred on their individual needs, preferences, likes and hobbies. People were supported to learn new life skills and enjoy active social lives.

People told us they were able to raise concerns and felt these would be acted on by the registered manager. The provider had an effective procedure in place to manage complaints.

People who used the service, and their relatives, had a good working relationship with the registered manager, who provided positive leadership. People were regularly asked if they were happy with the service provided. There were systems in place to ensure people’s views and opinions were heard and their wishes acted upon. Surveys, questionnaires and audits all demonstrated that the service delivered support that was centred on people’s individualised care and support needs.

This service provided support to people with a learning disability in their own homes. This was either on a full time basis or for a specified period each week.

Many of the people who used this service were unable to communicate verbally. We were able to talk with some people who gave us their views on their care and some of their relatives.

We found that the service had a robust recruitment process. The process ensured that they only employed staff who were fit to work with vulnerable people. Staff told us they had training in safeguarding people from abuse as part of their induction training.

We saw and were told that staff were always available when people needed help.

The provider had developed a system whereby they could monitor how well the home was meeting the needs of the people who lived there.

People told us that they were very happy with the service. One person said, “all the staff are very friendly” and “they do whatever I ask”

A relative told us that the staff “really make an effort to understand” the person using the service.

Care plans were detailed and gave staff the information they needed to provide support for people. People had contributed to their care plans and records showed that their views were respected and acted upon. People were supported to be as independent as possible and to participate in the local community.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the people they cared for and were familiar with their likes and dislikes.

We found that appropriate checks were properly carried out on staff before they were allowed to start work. People using the service were also asked for their opinion on the staff caring for them.