Strone Supported Living Service provides care and support to people living in ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

Strone supported living supports people with mental health issues in short term recovery and move on work, some of whom may have a learning disability. At the time of this inspection three people were using the service who received personal care.

This inspection took place on 21 and 26 March 2018 and was announced. This was the first inspection the service had since first registering with the Care Quality Commission in 2017.

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.

Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures. The provider had safe recruitment processes in place. There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Risk assessments were carried out to mitigate the risks of harm people may face at home and in the community. There were systems in place to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed. People were protected from the risks associated with the spread of infection. The provider analysed accidents and incidents and used this information as a learning tool to improve the service.

People had a comprehensive assessment to ensure the provider could meet their needs. New staff received an induction and were offered ongoing training during their employment. Staff were supported with regular supervisions and annual appraisals to ensure they could deliver care effectively. People were supported to eat a nutritionally balanced diet and to maintain their health. The provider and staff knew about their responsibility to obtain consent from people before delivering care.

Staff knew about people’s care needs and described how they developed caring relationships. The provider included people in decision-making and in their care planning. Staff were knowledgeable about equality and diversity. People were supported to maintain their independence and their privacy and dignity was promoted.

Care records were personalised, contained people’s preferences and the goals they wanted to achieve. The provider reviewed people’s care plans regularly to ensure care was delivered appropriately. Staff understood how to deliver a personalised care service. The service had a complaints procedure and people knew how to make a complaint.

People and staff spoke positively about the registered manager. The provider obtained feedback from people about the quality of the service in order to make improvements where needed. Staff had regular meetings to keep them updated on training and good care practice. The provider worked jointly with other agencies and had plans to expand on this further. The provider carried out regular observations of staff working to monitor the quality of the service being delivered.

We have made one recommendation about the effective use of quality assurance systems.