We carried out an unannounced inspection of the service on 23 March 2017.

Redcliffe House provides accommodation and personal care for up to eight people living with learning disabilities and an autistic spectrum disorder. On the day of our inspection eight people were living at the service.

A registered manager was in post and was available 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.

Staff were aware of their responsibilities to protect people from avoidable harm. Staff had received adult safeguarding training and had information available of the action required to respond to any safeguarding concerns. The management team had taken appropriate action when safeguarding incidents had occurred to reduce further risks.

Risks associated to people’s needs had been assessed and planned for and were regularly reviewed. People were not unduly restricted and positive risk taking was planned and managed well. Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored and action was taken to reduce further reoccurrence.

There were sufficient and experienced staff available to meet people’s needs and safety and staffing levels were flexible to meet people’s individual needs. Safe staff recruitment practices were in place and followed.

People received their prescribed medicines appropriately and these were managed and stored in line with best practice guidance.

Staff received an induction and ongoing training and support. The registered manager had a post graduate qualification in autism and had developed additional learning resources to support and develop staff’s understanding and awareness.

The registered manager applied the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), so that people’s rights were protected. People were involved as fully as possible in decisions and asked for their consent before care and support was provided and this was respected.

People were involved in the development of a weekly menu. Their preferences and needs were known and choices and independence was promoted. Staff supported and encouraged people with health eating.

People's healthcare needs had been assessed and were regularly monitored. The staff worked with healthcare professionals to ensure they provided an effective and responsive service.

Staff were kind, caring and respectful towards the people they supported. They had a person centred approach and a clear understanding of people's individual needs, routines and what was important to them.

People were involved as fully as possible in their care and support. Regular meetings were had with people to discuss their care and support and the activities they wanted to participate in. This included an annual holiday of their choice. People had information to inform them of independent advocacy services and had been supported to access these services were required.

People were supported to participate in activities, interests and hobbies of their choice. Staff had been creative and had used innovative approaches to support people with their dreams and aspirations. Staff promoted people’s independence and people were active citizens of their local community. New opportunities had recently been introduced for people to develop their social and friendship circle.

The provider enabled people who used the service and their relatives to voice their views and

opinions. The registered manager listened to what people had to say and took action to resolve any issues.

The provider had checks in place that monitored the quality and safety of the service. These included daily, weekly and monthly audits. In addition the provider had further