This inspection took place on 25 October and 2 November 2017 and was announced. We gave the registered provider 48 hours’ notice that we would be visiting to inspect. We did this because the location is a small service for people who are often out during the day and we wanted to make sure the people who lived there would be in when we visited.

NEAS, Short Term Residential Breaks provides care and accommodation for a maximum of seven people at a time with autism and learning disabilities. People use the service for short term respite breaks and stay in two purpose built lodges in a rural setting. At the time of our inspection five people were using the service.

At the last inspection in September 2015 the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

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.

Risks to people using the service were identified and well managed to help keep people safe. Risks arising from the premises and equipment were monitored to ensure they were safe to use. Policies and procedures were in place to safeguard people from abuse. Medicines were managed safely. Staffing levels were based on the assessed level of support people needed and were regularly reviewed. The provider’s recruitment procedures reduced the risk of unsuitable staff being employed.

Staff were equipped to support and meet people's needs effectively through their induction and mandatory training. Staff received regular supervisions and appraisals. 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 supported this. People received the support they needed to ensure their diet was nutritious and well-balanced. People were supported to access healthcare services when needed. The lodges were suitable to meet the care needs of people using the service.

Relatives of people using the service gave very positive feedback on the support staff provided, describing them as kind and caring. Throughout our inspection we saw numerous examples of caring, warm but professional interactions between staff and people using the service. Staff treated people at the service with dignity and respect and encouraged them to be as independent as possible. Procedures were in place to arrange advocacy services where needed.

People received personalised support that was responsive to their needs. Some people received support in accessing activities as part of their stay at the service. Where this was the case details of the types of activities people enjoyed were included in their support plan. Policies and procedures were in place to deal with complaints.

Staff spoke positively about the culture and values of the service and described the service as well-led. The registered manager had created links other services and agencies to enhance the quality of people’s breaks.

The registered manager and provider carried out a number of quality assurance checks to monitor and improve standards at the service. Feedback was sought from people who used the service and their relatives. The registered manager had informed CQC of significant events in a timely way by submitting the required notifications. This meant we could check that appropriate action had been taken.

This inspection took place on 10, 15 and 18 September 2015. We gave 24 hours notice of this inspection to ensure there would be someone on site during our visit.

NEAS, Short Term Residential Breaks provides care and accommodation for a maximum of seven people at a time with autism and learning disabilities. On the day of our inspection there were 27 people registered to use the service.

The home had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

NEAS, Short Term Residential Breaks registered with CQC on 20 August 2013 and had not previously been inspected by CQC.

There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty in order to meet the needs of people who used the service. The provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure in place and carried out relevant checks when they employed staff.

Thorough investigations had been carried out in response to safeguarding incidents or allegations.

Staff training was up to date and staff received regular supervisions and appraisals, which meant that staff were properly supported to provide care to people who used the service.

The accommodation was clean, spacious and suitable for the people who used the service.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. They aim to make sure that people in care homes, hospitals and supported living are looked after in a way that does not inappropriately restrict their freedom. We discussed DoLS with the registered manager and looked at records. We found the provider was following the requirements in the DoLS.

Where people did not have capacity, consent was obtained from family members.

People who used the service, and family members, were complimentary about the standard of care at NEAS, Short Term Residential Breaks.

Staff treated people with dignity and respect and helped to maintain people’s independence by encouraging them to care for themselves where possible.

We saw that the home had a full programme of activities in place for people who used the service.

Care records showed that people’s needs were assessed before they stayed at NEAS, Short Term Residential Breaks and care plans were written in a person centred way.

The provider had a complaints policy and procedure in place and complaints were fully investigated.

The provider had a robust quality assurance system in place and gathered information about the quality of their service from a variety of sources.