This inspection took place on 15 January 2018. At our previous inspection in February 2015 we had no concerns about the quality of care and rated the service as good. At this inspection we still had no concerns and the service remains rated as good.

1 Alexandra St provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people with a learning disability. 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. Registering the Right Support CQC policy. At the time of this inspection six people were using the service.

There was a registered manager in post who supported us throughout the inspection. 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 who used the service received an excellent personalised service that met their individual needs and preferences. People were at the centre of how their service was run and were fully involved in the planning and developing of the service. Staff used innovative ideas and actions to improve people's quality of life and to give them outstanding opportunities in daily life.

People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse and action was taken to report or investigate incidents of abuse.

There were sufficient numbers of staff available to support people who had been employed through safe recruitment procedures.

Risks of harm were assessed and people were supported to remain safe and independent through the effective use of risk assessments. Lessons were learned following incidents that had put people at risk of harm.

People were protected from the risk of infection as infection control procedures were being followed.

People's needs were assessed and they received care and support from other agencies to ensure a holistic approach.

Staff received regular support and training to be able to fulfil their roles effectively.

The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were followed to ensure people's capacity to consent to their care was assessed. When people lacked the capacity they were supported to consent by their legal representatives. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported to eat and drink sufficient amounts of food and drink of their liking. When people became unwell or their health needs changed, health care advice and support was gained.

The design and decoration of the building met people's individual needs and preferences.

People were treated with dignity and respect and were encouraged to be as independent as they were able. People's right to privacy was upheld and their relationships respected.

People were involved and able to express their view on how their service was run.

People's wishes on how they wanted to be cared for at the end of their life were sought.

There was a clear and visible strategy to deliver high quality care and support and there were systems in place to ensure that responsibilities are clear and performance is managed.

People who used the service, staff and the public were actively engaged and involved in the care delivery.

The registered manager and staff were continuously striving to improve the quality of service for people and staff worked with other agencies to ensure a holistic, open approach to people's care and support.

This inspection took place on the 15 February 2016 and was unannounced. At our previous inspection in 2013 we found no concerns in the areas we looked at.

1 Alexandra Street provided accommodation and personal care for up to six people with a learning disability. Six people were using the service at the time of the inspection.

There was a registered manager in post, they were not available on the day of this inspection. 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 protected from abuse as staff knew what constituted abuse and who to report it to if they suspected it had taken place. There were sufficient staff to keep people safe and to support people to follow their hobbies and interests.

Risks to people were minimised to encourage and promote people's independence. Staff were clear how to support people to maintain their safety when they put themselves at risk.

People's medicines were stored, administered and managed safely.

Staff were supported to fulfil their role effectively. There was a regular programme of applicable training.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) is designed to protect people who cannot make decisions for themselves or lack the mental capacity to do so. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are part of the MCA. They aim to make sure that people in care homes, hospitals and supported living are looked after in a way that does not inappropriately restrict their freedom. The provider followed the principles of the MCA by ensuring that people consented to their care or were supported by representatives to make decisions.

People's nutritional needs were met. People were supported to eat and drink sufficient to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

People were supported to access a range of health care services. When people became unwell staff responded and sought the appropriate support.

Staff were observed to be kind and caring and they told us that were well supported by the registered manager.

Care was personalised and met people's individual needs and preferences. The provider had a complaints procedure and people knew how to use it.

The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service. When improvements were required these were made in a timely manner.

We inspected 1 Alexandra Street on a planned unannounced inspection, which meant the service did not know we were coming.

We spoke with three people that used the service and three members of staff. Some people who used the service had gone out for the day. Other people were getting ready and preparing for their daily activities.

We spoke with people who used the service. They told us they were very comfortable living at 1 Alexandra Street and got on very well with other service users. They told us of the numerous activities which they enjoyed during the week.

We looked at their care plans and found that people’s care and welfare needs were being met.

We looked to see if people’s medication was being managed correctly. We saw the service had systems in place to ensure medication was handled safely and securely.

We looked at the recruitment of staff and saw that the relevant checks had been completed prior to them commencing their employment.

The service had a complaints procedure which detailed how to deal with any comments and complaints made by people who used the service or their relatives. Staff told us they had not received any complaints recently.

We judged that 1 Alexandra Street was compliant in the five outcome areas we looked at.

We found that 1 Alexandra road operates in a person centred approach to meeting the needs of the people who reside there. The people who use the service are well supported in making decisions about their home and their everyday life. Many people who used this service also accessed provisions in the community and attended day services or supported employment. There were a host of activities that were facilitated on a weekly basis that ranged from local amenities to the darts club. The provider has a good system in place for reviewing quality and seeking feedback. The staff were well trained and supported and were able to meet the needs of the people who resided there.

People liked living at the service and got on well with the staff. People’s rights were promoted. Their views were sought and they were listened to. Changes were made in response to the views of people. For example there had been changes in the environment and in activities that had come about after consulting the people that lived there.

People were encouraged to be as independent as possible, to learn new skills and to live the life they want to. People do a range of household tasks including cooking, cleaning and gardening. Everyone takes part in activities out of the service such as going to work, college or to day services. The people that live there enjoy a varied lifestyle and decide the activities they want to do. People go to the pub, have days out, go to the gym, go shopping, out for meals and go on holiday.

People kept in touch with relatives and friends by visits, phone calls or via social networking sites. Friends were encouraged to visit and stay for meals.

People told us that they were supported to have their health care needs met. People received health care treatment both primary and specialist. They had dental and eye checks and their medication was reviewed.

People were happy with their accommodation. Everyone had a single bedroom that contained lots of personal belongings. People could lock their bedrooms. The communal rooms were well decorated and people said they were involved in choosing the decor and furniture.