Park Avenue is a supported living service providing personal care and support for up to three adults who have a learning disability, physical disability or mental health conditions. At the time of our announced inspection on 11 July 2018, there were three people living at the service. This was the first inspection of this service. This service provides care and support to people living in one ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

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.

There was 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. The registered manager assisted us with our inspection.

People ‘s care and support was planned proactively in partnership with them. People had opportunities to take part in activities that reflected their interests. People told us they were happy living at Park Avenue.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of appropriately skilled staff to meet their needs and keep them safe. Staff understood their responsibilities in safeguarding people from abuse and knew how to report any concerns they had. Risks to people’s safety were identified and action taken to keep people as safe as possible. Accidents and incidents were reviewed and measures implemented to reduce the risk of them happening again. People’s care would not be interrupted in the event of an emergency and people were made aware of fire procedures. Staff had been recruited safely by the provider.

People lived at a service that was kept clean and free from infection. People’s medicines were stored and administered safely and where people required input from healthcare professionals they were supported to access this. People could make choices about the food they ate and each person had a health action plan which detailed their health needs and the support they needed. Staff worked with external organisations and professionals to help provide the most effective care to people. People’s needs had been assessed prior to moving in to the service.

People’s rights under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were respected. Staff understood the importance of gaining people’s consent to their care and there were no restrictions in place for people.

People were cared for by staff who were kind and caring towards them. Staff treated people with respect and maintained their dignity. People were supported to make choices about their care and to remain independent. There was sufficient information in people’s support plans to enable staff to provide the most appropriate care to people. This included their wishes in relation to their death.

People and staff benefited from good leadership provided by the registered manager. Staff said there was a strong team and staff said they received good support from their colleagues. People’s views were taken into account and the provider’s quality monitoring systems were effective in ensuring people received good quality care and support. Important areas of the service were audited regularly. Should someone wish to complain there were appropriate procedures in place.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.