The inspection took place on 28 June 2018. We gave the provider notice of our intention to visit so that they could prepare people with complex needs whose routines might be disrupted by our inspection process.

Rugby Avenue is a supported living service for people with a learning disability. It provides personal care for people who live in their own accommodation. At the time of this inspection the service provided care for two people.

People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. The Care Quality Commission [CQC] does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

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 using the service were supported to live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

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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.'

There were effective systems and processes in place to minimise risks to people. There were safeguarding and whistleblowing policies in place and care workers were aware of how to raise concerns. Care workers had been recruited safely. They underwent appropriate recruitment checks before they could commence working at the service to ensure they were suitable to provide people's care. There were also effective systems and processes in place to minimise risks to people. Care plans contained risk assessments which identified the risks to the person and how these should be managed. Equally, there were robust arrangements around the management of accidents and incidents, medicines and risks associated with poor infection control.

People gave us positive feedback about how the service was meeting their needs. They told us they were supported to have sufficient amounts to eat and drink. Their needs had been assessed by the service before they started to use the service. Care plans included guidance about meeting these needs. The service also involved a range of health and social care professionals. People's capacity to make choices had been considered in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We observed that care workers asked for permission before proceeding with care. Care workers had received regular training and support.

People told us care workers treated them with respect and maintained their privacy. People's individual preferences were respected. Their care plans contained detailed information so that care workers could understand their preferences. Care workers had a good understanding of protecting and respecting people's human rights. As a result, they treated people’s values, beliefs and cultures with respect.

People received person centred care. They were involved in the development of their care plans. People's diversity and human rights were highlighted in their care plans. This ensured care workers were aware if they needed to make reasonable adjustments to meet people’s needs. People and their relatives confirmed that they could complain if needed to. There was a complaints procedure which they were aware of. People’s communication needs were considered, in relation to the requirements of Accessible Information Standard.

There were effective quality assurance processes in place to monitor care and safety and plan on-going improvements. The registered manager had a clear sense of responsibility and had led a management team to monitor and improve the quality of the service.