This inspection took place on 21 December 2016 and was announced. The registered provider was given short notice of our inspection. We did this because the service is small and the registered manager is sometimes out of the office or providing care and we needed to be sure that they would be available. The service moved to new premises in 2016 and the new location was registered with the Care Quality Commission on 13 July 2016.

Step Up Support service provides short breaks for adults with learning disabilities. The service is based in a four bedroom house. The house can accommodate three individuals for overnight stays. Staff provide night time support on a sleep in basis for people staying at the service. At the time of the inspection eleven people were using the service.

During the inspection the registered manager was the only staff member present. During the afternoon three people arrived to stay overnight at the service. We were not able to speak with some people using the service because we were unable to communicate verbally with them in a meaningful way. One person shared their experience of using the service.

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.

The registered manager told us they were in the process of reviewing people’s risk assessment so they were more detailed and effective. They were being supported by the local authority to complete this task.

We saw a recruitment and selection policy was in place, but it did not identify all the information as specified in Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 which must be available to demonstrate fit and proper persons have been employed. We spoke with the registered manager and they assured us this would be updated.

Staff had undertaken safeguarding training and were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities in keeping people safe from harm.

There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs safely and effectively.

Medicines were managed safely at the service.

Relatives that we contacted did not express any concerns regarding the cleanliness of the service. The service was clean and had a pleasant aroma.

Staff underwent an induction and shadowing period prior to commencing work, and had regular updates to their training to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to carry out their roles. Staff were well supported and received supervisions and appraisals regularly.

One person we spoke with was satisfied with the quality of support they had received and told us they would recommend the service.

Relatives that we contacted made very positive comments about the care their family member had received and about the staff working at the service. All the relatives contacted told us they would recommend the service.

Care plans were detailed and person centred. They contained personal preferences and instructed staff on encouraging people to maintain their independence. Care plans were reviewed and updated regularly.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

We observed the registered manager giving care and assistance to people throughout the inspection. They were respectful and treated people in a caring and supportive way.

The service promoted people’s wellbeing by providing daytime activities and opportunities to go out into the community.

The provider had a complaint’s process in place. Relatives told us that concerns were always taken seriously, explored thoroughly and responded to in good time.

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