This unannounced inspection took place on 29 and 30 January 2018. Oakmead is a care home for adults with learning disabilities. The service is a converted residential house situated on a main road. Five people were living in the service at the time of our inspection. Support is provided over 24 hours, seven days a week. Each person had their own bedroom with communal facilities such as kitchen areas, lounge and bathroom.

As a requirement of registration the service had 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.

The service had been previously owned by a different provider. Hightown Housing Association Limited took over the ownership of the service in October 2016. This is the first inspection since the change in provider.

Oakmead is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.” Registering the Right Support CQC policy

People’s consent was sought for aspects of their care. Where people were not able to make decisions for themselves, their mental capacity was assessed and the best interest process was followed. 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 practice.

People were involved as much as possible in planning their care. Their opinions were sought as to the effectiveness of the care they received. The provider considered where improvement could be made these and where appropriate these were actioned.

People were well cared for. They were provided with an environment that met their needs. Maintenance checks and health and safety audits had been completed to ensure the environment was safe for people and staff. Risk assessments and care plans were devised to ensure care was safe and appropriate.

Staffing levels were based on people’s needs. Staff recruitment was carried out safely. This was to prevent unsuitable people from working with the people at Oakmead.

Staff were trained and received support to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to carry out their roles. They were encouraged to feedback ideas to assist with the improvement of the service, through supervision, meetings and general discussion

Staff were trained to identify signs of abuse and how to report concerns. Medicines were administered by trained staff. Records showed people received their medicines in a safe and appropriate way. Health professionals such as psychologists and GPs were referred to when people required additional support.

People were supported with their nutritional and hydration needs. This included providing food and drink that was safe for them to consume in line with their preferences and dietary needs.

We observed staff supported people with their care in a dignified and sensitive way, by speaking discreetly to them and asking permission to access their room and property. People’s communication needs were identified and staff had the skills and knowledge to work in an inclusive way with each person.

People were supported to remain as independent as possible and involvement in the community was encouraged. Activities were availabl