The inspection took place on 13 and 15 March 2018 and was announced. This was the first rated inspection for this service at this location.

Ordinary Lifestyles supports adults with learning disabilities and physical disabilities within their own homes across the areas of Manchester and Trafford. They offer a range of services from 24 hour support where support workers live in people’s homes to providing an Independent Living Service where people require various degrees of support for specific tasks.

At the time of the inspection there were 28 people who were supported by the service. We were told that 19 people were receiving 24 hour support, six people were living independently and three people were living with their families.

The service had two registered managers who were both present during the inspection. 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.

We found that suitable arrangements were in place to help safeguard people from abuse. Guidance and training was provided for staff on identifying and responding to the signs and allegations of abuse.

We found people were supported by sufficient numbers of suitably skilled and experienced staff who received a thorough induction and were safely recruited.

Staff received the essential training and support necessary to enable them to do their job effectively and support people safely. Records showed that staff had also received training relevant to their role.

We saw that staff interactions were respectful, polite and frequent, with lots of friendly banter.

People’s support plans contained information about their preferred routines, their likes, dislikes, hobbies and family life. They were very person centred. They also contained guidance for staff on how to encourage the people they supported to safely maintain their independence.

Risks to people's health and well-being had been identified and support plans had been put into place to help reduce or eliminate the identified risks.

The support plans we looked at showed there were many varied pastimes and activities made available for people, as individuals, to take part in. People told us they were very happy going to the group events as they enjoyed the activities and liked meeting their friends.

Staff told us that many of the people they supported enjoyed holidays, both at home and abroad with either family or support staff. We were told about holidays that included cruises and trips to Majorca and America.

We saw from our observations, discussions and records that the values of dignity, respect, choice, equality and diversity were reflected throughout the running of the service.

A safe system of medicine management was in place. Medicines were stored securely and records showed that staff received training and competency assessments before they were permitted to administer medicines.

Information was readily available for staff to help ensure the safety of people they supported and also the safety of the staff. Systems were in place in people’s houses to ensure the safety of the people who lived and worked there. We saw that any accidents and incidents that occurred were recorded and monitored.

The service was working within the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA). People's best interests were considered when decision making took place and records showed how people were encouraged to make their own decisions. Records also showed how and why decisions were made by staff in the person’s best interest. For the people whose liberty was restricted in their own homes, the appropriate authorisation was sought from the Court of Protection to ensure their rights were protected.

The service had a compla