This inspection was unannounced and took place on 31 December 2015.

The last inspection of the home was carried out on 6 September 2013. No concerns were identified with the care being provided to people at that inspection. The home has since re registered in 2015 to become a limited company. The service remains a family run business. This is the first inspection since the re registration.

The service provides care and support from a main home with two further homes in close proximity. The service provides accommodation and support for up to 15 adults with a learning disability. At the time of the inspection there were 15 people living in the homes. Most of the people had a range of mild to moderate learning disabilities, one person had more complex learning and physical disability needs.

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.

The registered manager was appropriately qualified and experienced to manage the home. The provider explained the registered manager had experience of supporting people with learning disabilities and continued to develop further skills and knowledge by ongoing training and attending local meetings.

The provider had taken reasonable steps to minimise the risks of abuse to people. There was a thorough recruitment process which ensured all staff were checked for their suitability to work with vulnerable people. Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse and all were confident action would be taken to protect people if they raised any concerns.

People, relatives and staff were complimentary about the service and spoke highly about the registered manager and provider. One person said, “We can talk to them when we like, we see them often”. People told us they were happy and comfortable in each other’s company and with the staff. Some people had lived at the home for many years and told us they were proud to have done so.

The majority of people could communicate verbally, although some had more limited communication. People received care and support from staff who had the knowledge and skills to support them. Most of the people were able to carry out their own personal care with prompting and support from staff. Some people could also go out into the community independently, others needed support from staff.

Care records were well written and detailed, with formats that supported people’s communication needs. They accurately reflected people’s care and support needs. Where possible people were fully involved in their care planning. Care plans included information about people’s likes, interests and background, and provided staff with sufficient information to enable them to provide care effectively. People signed their care plans to demonstrate they had been involved in reviewing them or agreed to changes made.

Staff had a good understanding of each person’s needs and preferences. They received appropriate training to enable them to support people safely and effectively.

There were sufficient numbers of staff to ensure people’s safety, and provide care in an unhurried manner. There was a happy relaxed atmosphere within the home, people were seen to be at the heart of the service.

We observed people were treated with kindness and respect and their independence promoted, including their rights to choice and privacy. One person informed us, “I have a key to my bedroom door. Sometimes I lock it, other times I leave it open. I know nobody will go in there if I’m not there”.

Safe systems were in place to protect people from the risks associated with medicines. Medicines were managed in accordance with best practice. Medicines were stored, administered and recorded safely. Health professionals were routinely involved in supporting people with their health and wellbeing.

People were supported to have sufficient to eat and drink. People told us they were involved in menu planning and enjoyed going to the local supermarkets to shop for their food. One person told us, “We can walk into town to shop sometimes staff come with us sometimes we go alone”.

People were engaged in a variety of activities within the home and in the community. The registered manager informed us people led active lives. Some people went to work, some had different placements with different providers on different days, and all people were supported within their chosen activities.

There was an open and honest culture in the home that empowered people to discuss any concerns. People received care that was effective, and which promoted people to be as independent as possible. People’s health care needs were monitored on a regular basis, where people had attended appointments with relevant health care professionals, the visits were recorded in people’s care plans.

There were quality assurance systems in place to enable the provider to monitor care and plan on-going improvements. People’s views and suggestions were sought to ensure changes were made in line with people’s wishes where appropriate. The provider had systems in place to ensure the service maintained a safe and high standard of care.