This inspection took place on 31 December 2015 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice because the location is a small care home for younger adults who are often out during the day and we needed to be sure that someone would be in.

Rosywood House is situated in a residential area close to Leicester City Centre. It provides care and support for up to three people with autistic spectrum disorders and learning disabilities.

Accommodation is in a modern three story property with three single bedrooms, two of which have ensuite facilities. There are also two lounges, a kitchen/diner, and a secluded garden. At the time of our inspection there was one person using the service and two others who had regular respite care.

The home had a registered manager. This 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 atmosphere in the home was friendly and welcoming. The premises were homely and comfortably furnished. A person using the service told us they liked the staff and felt safe living at the home. During our inspection staff ensured a person they were supporting was safe both in the home and out in the community. Records showed staff had taken expert advice on how best to do this.

People using the service were encouraged to be independent. We saw a person using the service helping to make themselves a drink, answering the door with staff support, and spending time in their bedroom and in the lounge. They also went into the community with a member of staff to get some fresh air and visit a local café which meant they took part in both indoor and outdoor activities.

Staffing numbers were flexible depending on activities and which people using the service were in the home at any one time. Staff recruitment practices were safe and staff had the training they needed to provide appropriate care and support. Medicines were safely stored and managed in the home and administered by trained staff.

During our inspection we observed that staff got on well with one person using the service and supported them to make the most of their day with a mixture of quiet times and activities. If the person became anxious they followed the advice in the person’s care plans, reassuring them and providing calm and consistent support.

Records showed the home provided a varied diet with fruit and vegetables served each day, healthy snacks, and pub and chip shop dinners. One person using the service did their own weekly shop with staff support at a local supermarket. Lunch was served during our inspection and we saw a person using the service choosing their own meal and helping to prepare it.

Staff cared about the people using the service and wanted them to live fulfilling lives. People using the service were invited to the staff Christmas meal and two had attended. Staff had also come to a person’s birthday party in their own time because they didn’t want to miss it or let the person down.

Staff supported people using the service to express their views and be actively involved in their own care, treatment and support. During our inspection staff listened to a person using the service and supported them to make choices about meals, activities, and the level of staff support they needed at different times of the day.

A good system of review was in place for the care and support of people using the service. For example, one person had a monthly meeting with their keyworker when they had the opportunity to comment on all aspects of their care and support. Records showed pictures and symbols were used to support them to do this and the results were positive, with the person indicating they were happy with all aspects of the service indulging the staff, the food, the activities, and their bedroom.