We carried out this inspection on 10 February 2017. We told the registered manager we were coming 48 hours before the visit so they could arrange for staff to be available to talk with us about the service.

Sandy Hill Court is a service which provides personal care support to adults with learning disabilities and complex needs. This is in a supported living environment which consists of eight self - contained apartments. At the time of our visit, two people used the service.

The service has a registered manager. 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. A registered manager was in place and had been since May 2016 when the service started.

Relatives told us people felt safe using the service because support workers were skilled and knowledgeable, and knew how to care for them well. Support workers had a good understanding of what constituted abuse and who to contact if safeguarding concerns were raised.

Checks were carried out prior to support workers starting work to ensure their suitability to work with people who used the service. Support workers received an induction to the organisation, and a programme of training to support them in meeting people’s needs effectively.

Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005), and the registered manager had taken the required action if people were being deprived of their liberty.

People were assisted with their nutrition and to manage their health needs. Support workers referred people to other professionals if they had any concerns.

People had consistent staff they were familiar with and who provided support as outlined in their care plans. There were enough staff to care for people they supported and there was an on-going programme of recruitment.

Relatives told us support workers were kind and caring and had the right skills and experience to provide the care people required. People were supported with dignity and respect. Support workers encouraged people to be independent. The focus of the service was to develop people’s skills and confidence further, and we saw examples of where this had been achieved.

Care plans contained detailed, relevant information for support workers to help them provide personalised care including processes to minimise risks to people’s safety. People received their medicines when required from staff trained to administer them. The registered manager checked that staff remained competent to do this.

People and their relatives knew how to complain and had opportunities to share their views and opinions about the service they received. This was through keyworker meetings, review meetings and surveys.

Support workers were confident they could raise any concerns or issues with the registered manager knowing they would be listened to and acted on. People and staff told us the management team were effective and approachable.

The management team gave support workers formal opportunities to discuss any issues or raise concerns with them. There were processes to monitor the quality of the service provided. These checks were carried out by the registered manager and the provider. These ensured support workers worked in line with policies and procedures.