We commenced our comprehensive inspection of Swan Court on 17 September. We visited the location on 17 September 2018 and contacted people’s relatives and other stakeholders following this visit. The inspection was unannounced. The inspection was prompted in part by concerns raised by the local authority (who commission some services for people at Swan Court). We had received concerns indicating that the recommendations of some health professionals were not always followed, and a person had needed personal care on occasions, and this had been delayed. We found this may have happened, albeit infrequently, due to a person not consenting to personal care at times, and staff not being able to provide personal care until they did.

This was the first inspection of the service since they were registered to provide personal care on 2017 and there has been no previous rating for the service.

Swan Court is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Swan Court was built for purpose, and consists of eight flats that include bedroom, lounge and bathrooms as well as kitchens in some instances. There is also a variety of internal and external communal space people can access if wished. The provider has a café (open to the public) located next door that people living at the home could use.

The service provides personal care to younger adults that have learning disabilities/autistic spectrum disorders or poor mental health combined with the former. On the day we visited the site there was seven people receiving personal care and accommodation.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

The service did not have a registered manager, although there was an acting manager who has now applied to register with CQC. They were present during our inspection. 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.

Risks to people were clearly identified in risk assessments and we saw staff understood these, and followed them when supporting people. We saw there was sufficient staff available to support people and keep them safe. The provider had made us aware of any allegations of abuse at the service and responded appropriately to these. Staff could tell us what abuse looked like and how they should respond. We found people’s medicines were managed safely. Appropriate checks were carried out on prospective staff before they commence work with people.

People’s consent was sought by staff with any restrictions to their liberty agreed with the local authority, with these agreements followed by staff. People were supported by staff on a day to day basis to have maximum choice and control of their and we saw staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies in the service supported this practice. People were supported by staff that were trained, and the provider had begun building on staff skills and knowledge with further, more in depth training. People could access community healthcare as needed. People were involved and supported to choose and prepare their meals where able. People were given support with their dietary and fluid intake to promote their health.

People were supported by staff who demonstrated they were kind and caring when supporting people. People were consist