The inspection took place on 6 and 7 July 2016 and was announced. Independence Matters PAS provides personal care and support to people with learning difficulties in the Great Yarmouth area and it’s office is situation in the Great Yarmouth Community Hub. On the day of our inspection there were 23 people using the service who received personal care. Care and support was provided to people in their own homes where they lived with their families, in residential care or in supported living schemes.

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.

People were supported by staff who understood safeguarding procedures and were able to recognise the signs of potential abuse.

Risks to people had been thoroughly assessed and plans put in place to manage these risks while enabling people to live their lives without unnecessary restriction.

Robust recruitment procedures had been employed to ensure that staff were suitable to work with people who used the service. There were sufficient numbers of staff deployed to meet people’s needs. Staff received comprehensive training to enable them to meet people’s needs.

People were given support if they needed it to take their medicines a prescribed. People’s nutritional needs were met and they were supported to access healthcare if they needed it.

People were supported by staff who showed respect and cared for them as individuals whilst maintaining their dignity. People were supported to make their own decisions where possible and their consent was sought appropriately.

People and those important to them were involved in planning their care, how it was delivered and their independence was promoted. People’s care was delivered in the way they wished by staff who were knowledgeable about their needs.

People who used the service and staff who supported them were able to express their views on the service. People were supported to make complaints and were confident that these would be heard and acted upon. The service maintained good communication with people who used the service and their families or housing providers.

The management maintained a good overview of the service and had systems in place to monitor the safety and quality of the service. Staff were supported by the management and felt valued by the organisation.