This inspection took place on 28 February and 2 March 2017. This is the first inspection we have carried out since the service registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) under a new provider in September 2016. The first day of the inspection was unannounced. The provider was informed we would be returning for a second day to complete our inspection.

Piper House is a purpose built, supported housing service consisting of 12 self-contained, one bedroom wheelchair accessible flats. People have access to a shared reception/seating area and laundry facilities on the ground floor of the building. Flats located on upper floors are accessed by stairs and a lift. Ground floor flats open out onto a communal garden area.

People living at Piper House have a range of complex needs including learning and/or physical disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions, epilepsy and behaviours that may challenge services. The service is staffed 24 hours a day and is registered to provide support to people with personal care needs. At the time of this inspection the service was providing support to 11adults.

The service had a registered manager in post who divided his time between this and another service run by the same provider. 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’s written risk assessments covered a range of issues including road safety, exploitation and abuse from others, self-neglect and financial management. Risk assessments had been reviewed in line with the provider’s policies and procedures. People were protected from the risk of potential abuse because the provider operated systems for recording these matters.

Where possible, people were involved in decisions about their care and how their needs would be met. Staff developed caring relationships with people using the service and treated people with kindness, compassion. People were being supported to maintain their hobbies and interests

Staff supported people to attend healthcare appointments and liaised with people’s GP and other healthcare professionals as required to meet people’s needs. Medicines were managed and administered safely.

Staff recruitment procedures were in place and were being followed to ensure suitable staff were employed by the service. Staff received the appropriate training to equip them with the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their duties effectively and with confidence and demonstrated a good understanding of people’s individual needs and wishes and how to meet them.

People’s individual preferences were respected in relation to food and drink choices and people were supported to prepare their own meals where this was possible

The home was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report upon our findings. DoLS are in place to protect people where they do not have capacity to make decisions and where it is regarded as necessary to restrict their freedom in some way, to protect themselves or others. The registered manager understood when a DoLS application should be made and how to submit one.

Monthly and weekly audits were carried out across various aspects of the service; these included the administration of medicines, care records and health and safety checks.