The inspection took place on 5 and 7 April 2017 and was announced. This was the first inspection of the service since it was registered in February 2016.

Orbis Support Offices provides personal care and support to people with learning disabilities, who live in their own homes, either alone or with family, or in shared houses with support. At the time of our inspection, the service was providing personal care to two people and another two people's care services were due to start in the near future.

The service had a registered manager in post. 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.

We found the service had taken steps when providing care to protect people from avoidable harm and safeguard them from abuse. Risks to personal safety were carefully assessed and managed to ensure people received safe care and support.

New staff were checked and vetted before they started working with people and sufficient staff were employed. Each person had a dedicated staff team that enabled them to be provided with reliable and consistent support. Staff were appropriately trained and supervised in their roles, equipping them to meet people’s needs effectively.

Suitable arrangements had been made for the safe handling of medicines. Where applicable, people were supported to receive health care services and advice about care and treatment from health professionals was acted on. Assistance was given, when required, with meeting dietary needs and supporting people with eating and drinking.

The implications of mental capacity law in upholding people’s rights to make decisions were understood. People and their families directed and agreed the way their care was provided, including contributing to care planning and choosing their own support staff.

People’s care was planned and delivered using a person-centred approach. Care plans were tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences, including a focus on leisure time and accessing the community. There were good communication systems and no complaints had been made about the service.

The management and staff had formed caring and supportive relationships with people and their families. Staff treated people as individuals with diverse needs and respected their privacy and dignity. People were given support that empowered them to make choices in their daily lives.

The provider and registered manager were skilled, experienced and provided robust leadership for the staff. They promoted an open culture and worked inclusively with people, their families and the staff in seeking their views which influenced the service. Standards were actively monitored and further developments were planned to continue to improve the quality of the service that people received.