We inspected Orchard End on 5 and 7 March 2018. Orchard End provides accommodation and personal care to 12 people who had a learning disability, mental health needs or were on the autistic spectrum. At the time of our inspection 10 people were living at Orchard End. Orchard End is based in rural Gloucestershire near the banks of the River Severn. The home has large enclosed communal gardens. The service consists of a main house and a bungalow. There were plans in place to refurbish and extend the home’s bungalow. People were assisted by social care workers who assisted them with their day to day needs and a range of activities.

This was the first inspection under the current provider registration which started in March 2015. Previously the service was inspected under a previous provider name in May 2014 and had never formally been rated. While the provider name had changed the service and its staff had remained the same.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

The care service had been registered and in operation before the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance had been implemented. 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.

People were happy, safe and benefitted from an active and full life. People's ability to be as independent as possible was developed at Orchard End. Where possible, people were supported to take positive risks and to be in control of their care. There were enough social care workers deployed to ensure people had their one to one needs met and enable them to undertake the activities they wished.

People where possible were involved in writing and reviewing their care plans, which were tailored to their individual needs. People were at the centre of their care. Social care workers knew people well and knew how to support them with their goals. People's achievements were documented and celebrated. The registered manager and staff looked for opportunities to offer people that would help them grow, gain confidence and live a fulfilled life.

Social care workers were well supported and had the benefit of a training programme which enabled them to ensure they could provide people with the best possible care and support. Social care workers understood and worked to the values of the registered manager and the provider and put people at the heart of everything they did. Social care workers were supported to develop professionally through dedicated management training programmes. All social care workers felt the registered manager focused on their personal development, which enabled them to provide better quality support to people.

The service had a strong leadership presence. They were committed and passionate about the people they supported and were constantly looking for ways to improve. The home and the registered manager had significant support and guidance from the provider. Thorough and frequent quality assurance processes and audits ensured that all care and support was delivered in the safest and most effective way possible.