Stepping Stones is a domiciliary care service that also provides supported living accommodation. The office is situated in Rochdale. The service is registered to provide personal care and support to adults. At the time of our inspection care was being provided to 28 people. 10 people lived in supported living and 18 people were receiving support in their own homes.

The service was last inspected in March 2016. The service did not have a registered manager in place at that time . The service have since recruited a registered manager.

A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 and staff understood their role and responsibilities to keep people safe from harm. Risks were assessed and plans put in place to keep people safe. Checks were carried out prior to staff being employed to assess their suitability to support vulnerable people.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection. We found that leadership at the service had improved and was now good. We found that the responsiveness of the service had improved and was now outstanding.

We observed excellent relationships between people and observed the senior management team and staff interacting with people in a caring, good humoured and friendly manner. Management and staff demonstrated exceptional insight and understanding of people's personal preferences and needs. People appeared happy and relaxed and we overheard much laughter and observed meaningful interactions during our visit.

People's needs were assessed before using the service and on an ongoing basis to reflect changes in their needs. Clear and well thought out arrangements were in place for people who were moving into the supported living service which helped to significantly reduce possible anxiety about this change.

There were enough staff so people could take part in the activities they wished and be supported in meeting their individual needs. People had access to activities that were important and relevant to them, both inside and outside their home. They were protected from social isolation because of the exceptional support and exhaustive range of opportunities offered by staff.

There were systems and processes in place to protect people from harm. People had their medicines administered safely. Staff had a good understanding about the signs of abuse and were aware of what to do if they suspected abuse was taking place.

The service had developed positive working relationships with health and social care professionals which led to joint working to expand people's communication skills.

A robust system for staff recruitment, induction and training was in place. This enabled the staff to support people effectively and safely.

Effective quality assurance audits were in place to monitor the service. The service regularly sought feedback from the people who used the service and their relatives. Staff had regular supervisions and were invited to team meetings.

There was a strong organisational commitment and effective action towards ensuring that there was equality and inclusion across the workforce. There was high levels of satisfaction across all staff and staff told us they were listened to by the managers.

This inspection took place on the 23 March 2016 and was announced.

Stepping Stones Services is a domiciliary care agency that also provides supported living accommodation and is situated in Rochdale. The service is registered to provide personal care and support to adults. On the day of our inspection there were 18 people using the service, four people in supported living and 14 people receiving support in their own home. The service was last inspected on the 14 January 2014 were it was found to be compliant with all the regulations we inspected.

The service did not have a registered manager. However, the provider has recruited to this position and the person appointed was due to make an application to register with us. 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 Commission places a limitor to the quality rating where a service does not have a Registered Manager in place.

Staff were aware of and had been trained in safeguarding procedures to help protect the health and welfare of people who used the service. All the people who used the service said they felt safe. Staff were recruited using current guidelines to help minimise the risk of abuse to people who used the service.

Risk assessments for health needs or environmental hazards helped protect the health and welfare of people who used the service but did not restrict their lifestyles.

Records showed that robust recruitment processes were followed by the service when employing new members of staff.

Staff were trained in medicines administration and supported people to take their medicines if it was a part of their care package.

Records we looked at showed that new staff were given an induction when they commenced working at Stepping Stones Service. Part of the induction process was to match staff with the people they were to look after.

We observed interactions between staff members and people who used the service who were present at the office. We saw that staff were kind, sensitive and respectful.

The service had arranged monthly ‘Get Together Days’ where activities included, a game day, afternoon tea and a movie, hobbies day, casino day, sports day and a Halloween murder mystery night. These were available to people across outreach and supported living services.

We saw that people’s religious needs were taken into consideration when employing members of staff. One person who used the service spoke in a language other than English. The service had employed a staff member who spoke the same language and had the same religious beliefs.

There was a suitable complaints procedure for people to voice their concerns. The people we spoke with said they did not have any concerns but knew how to contact the office if they did.

Care records also showed that people who used the service had highlighted what characteristics staff members who worked with them should have, such as hobbies and interests.

The provider told us that any issues they find when undertaking audits is discussed in team meetings or supervisions. We also saw that any actions required and who was responsible were also documented on audits.

The service had commenced devising easy to read policies so that they were accessible to people who used the service. A working policy group had been set up with people who used the service were they would meet each month to develop one policy.

The service had improvement plans in place which were to be completed by June 2016.