This was an unannounced inspection that took place on 24 April 2017.

Skelton Court provides residential care for up to 15 people diagnosed with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorders. The service specialises in supporting people with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders, mental health needs and dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 13 people using the service.

The service has 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.

People told us they were happy living at the service and the staff were kind and caring. All the staff we spoke with had a caring attitude and said they enjoyed supporting people to lead independent and fulfilling lives. The service had a homely atmosphere. The presence of two friendly cats contributed to this. These belonged to the people using the service who were seen to value and interact with them. People also took pride in the garden which they helped to look after, growing their own plants and vegetables.

People told us they felt safe using the service and we saw they were relaxed and comfortable around staff and happy to approach them for support. The staff knew the areas where they people they supported might be at risk, for example when going out, and what they needed to do to help ensure they remained safe. Staff were knowledgeable about people’s day to day needs and knew their likes, dislikes, and how they preferred to be supported.

Medicines arrangements were personalised and the people we spoke with knew their own medicines routines and how staff supported them to have these safely. People were supported with their health care needs and told us they saw GPs and dentists and other health care professionals when they needed to.

Staff told us they were satisfied with the training they’d received and told us about some of the recent courses they’d attended which included mental health, challenging behaviour, and dementia care.

Records showed that all the people using the service had been assessed with regard to their ability to consent to their care and to make informed decisions about their daily lives. Staff had had training in the MCA and DoLS and understood the importance of people consenting to their care.

People told us they liked the food served and they chose what meals they wanted. The cook was working with people to introduce a healthier eating programme based on lots of vegetables and other fresh produce. People met weekly to decide on the menu and have their say about the food provided.

The premises were clean, spacious and well-laid out. There was clear signage and picture prompts for people to help them find their way around, large ensuite bedrooms, and spacious communal areas for socialising, dining and doing activities. The premises had been adapted where necessary to meet people’s mobility needs and were decorated to a high standard throughout.

One of the features of the service was the particularly large bedrooms each with their own ensuite. All the people we spoke with commented on how much their liked their bedrooms. Each had a different coloured ‘front door’ with spyhole and knocker. This gave people the sense of having their own private space where they could spend time alone if they wanted to.

People were encouraged to be independent and to get involved in the day to day running of the home. People said they enjoyed helping at the service. Each person had a personalised pictorial agreement in place regarding domestic tasks which set out their responsibilities. This helped to ensure that staff were able to support them with these in line with their abilities.

People told us about the many different activities they did which they s